What are the symptoms of breast cancer that has spread to the brain?

Symptoms of breast cancer in the brain can include:

• headache.
• changes in senses controlled by the brain such as slurred speech, blurred vision, balance problems, dizziness, or anything else that seems unusual.
• memory problems.
• mood or personality changes.
• seizures.

When breast cancer spreads to the brain what is life expectancy?

Brain metastases in breast cancer patients represent a catastrophic event that portends a poor prognosis, with a median survival that ranges from 2 to 25.3 months despite treatment [5, 12–14].

What does Mets to the brain feel like?

Headache, sometimes with vomiting or nausea. Mental changes, such as increasing memory problems. Seizures. Weakness or numbness on one side of the body.

Can inflammatory breast cancer spread to the brain?

IBC metastasizes to the brain in about 19% of IBC patients within the first 2 years after diagnosis. Unfortunately the incidence of these metastases is increasing despite more effective systemic therapies that have controlled a subset of other organ metastases for longer periods than in the past.

What type of breast cancer is most likely to metastasize to the brain?

Type of cancer Triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancers are more likely to metastasize to the brain.

What is the prognosis for brain metastases?

Prognosis. In general, brain metastases are associated with poor prognosis. Despite major advances in oncologic diagnosis and treatment, the survival time for patients treated with radiation therapy still remains at 3-6 months. Overall survival is often determined by extent and activity of the primary tumor.

How do I know if I have brain Mets?

Common signs and symptoms of brain metastases include:

• Headaches.
• Seizures.
• Weakness in the arms or legs.
• Loss of balance.
• Memory loss.
• Speech disturbance/problems talking.

Is inflammatory breast cancer always Stage 3?

IBC is always at a locally advanced stage when it’s first diagnosed because the breast cancer cells have grown into the skin. (This means it is at least stage III.) In about 1 of every 3 cases, IBC has already spread (metastasized) to distant parts of the body when it is diagnosed.

What happens when cancer spreads to the brain?

Cancer that spreads to the brain can compress the brain and cause swelling inside the skull, leading to headaches. It can also interrupt the brain’s electrical activity, causing seizures, speech problems, numbness, or tingling. When a tumor interrupts signals from the brain to the muscles, it can result in coordination problems.

How does breast cancer spread to the brain?

Sometimes breast cancer can spread to the brain. This is known as secondary breast cancer in the brain. It can also be called brain metastases or brain mets. It’s not the same as having cancer that starts in the brain. The cancer cells that have spread to the brain are breast cancer cells.