Stage IV (Stage 4) Breast Cancer

Unfortunately, this is most likely consider as a stage IV. It is very important that you seek second opinion at Breast Center specializing in inflammatory breast cancer such as at MD Anderson Cancer Center and/or Phase I/II program that provide multiple clinical trial options. As long as feeling well, there are many choices to explore. Unfortunately, this is most likely consider as a stage IV. It is very important that you seek second opinion at Breast Center specializing in inflammatory breast cancer such as at MD Anderson Cancer Center and/or Phase I/II program that provide multiple clinical trial options. As long as feeling well, there are many choices to explore.

This is a very controversial question with no Level 1 data (prospective and randomized studies) to answer it. There is a prospective (forward looking) and randomized (patients are assigned to either mastectomy or leaving the breast alone randomly - they nor their physician have the choice) study taking place right now that is enrolling patients but we will not have the answer until the trial is over. So we must rely on what studies we have. There is a large review of a cancer database by Dr. Seema Khan that shows that removing the breast even in the face of metastatic disease (spread to bone as an example) will improve survival. Other similar studies have shown no difference in survival (and the patient had to undergo a surgery). There are circumstances that a patient would benefit from a mastectomy - bleeding, ulcerated, infected, foul smelling cancers can have these symptoms relieved by mastectomy - which may not improve survival but will improve the quality of life. This is a very controversial question with no Level 1 data (prospective and randomized studies) to answer it. There is a prospective (forward looking) and randomized (patients are assigned to either mastectomy or leaving the breast alone randomly - they nor their physician have the choice) study taking place right now that is enrolling patients but we will not have the answer until the trial is over. So we must rely on what studies we have. There is a large review of a cancer database by Dr. Seema Khan that shows that removing the breast even in the face of metastatic disease (spread to bone as an example) will improve survival. Other similar studies have shown no difference in survival (and the patient had to undergo a surgery). There are circumstances that a patient would benefit from a mastectomy - bleeding, ulcerated, infected, foul smelling cancers can have these symptoms relieved by mastectomy - which may not improve survival but will improve the quality of life.