What to do with stage 4 breast cancer

Stage IV breast cancer refers to breast cancer with distant metastasis, which is considered advanced breast cancer. Generally speaking, it may not be possible to perform surgery to cure it. Now, neoadjuvant therapy is used, which may still be able to lower the stage and shrink the tumor for stage IV breast cancer. If this effect can be achieved, there will be an opportunity for another surgical treatment later, because breast cancer is also a systemic disease, and surgery is only one of the treatment methods. Other comprehensive treatments, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy and targeted drug therapy are all very important. Comprehensive treatment for stage IV breast cancer can also prolong survival.

Can breast cancer be eradicated through surgery?

Breast cancer is a very common malignant tumor in clinical practice. Some breast cancers can be eradicated by surgery, while others cannot. For early breast cancer, if there is no local metastasis, surgery is very effective and can generally eradicate it. For example, if breast cancer in situ occurs, surgery can completely eradicate it. If breast cancer is relatively advanced, local lymph node metastasis occurs, or distant metastasis occurs, such as bone metastasis, liver metastasis, etc., this type of breast cancer cannot be completely eradicated even with surgery, and there is a possibility of recurrence and metastasis.

How to care after breast cancer surgery

After breast cancer occurs, a modified radical mastectomy is often required. The following care should be taken after the operation. First, you need to move your limbs, especially your lower limbs, while in bed to prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in the lower limbs. Second, you must cough up sputum when you are in bed to prevent lung infection. You also need to turn over regularly to prevent skin pressure sores. Third, a drainage tube is usually required for the wound after surgery, so you should pay attention to fixing the drainage tube after surgery to prevent it from falling off, and you should also observe the amount and properties of the drainage fluid. After the operation, you should gradually transition to a normal diet, first eat light and easily digestible food, and gradually transition to a normal diet.