Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer

Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer

The symptoms of metastatic breast cancer depend on where it is found. Symptoms may include:

• Bone pain that does not go away
• Loss of power or weakness in your arms or legs
• Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
• A constant feeling of nausea
• Discomfort or swelling under your ribs or across your tummy
• Feeling constantly tired (fatigue)
• A dry cough or breathlessness
• Severe headaches

Symptoms often improve when you start treatment. You may also get side-effects from your treatment - for example, some painkillers can cause constipation; surgery and radiotherapy that affect your lymph nodes can cause swelling of the arm (lymphoedema).

How can my symptoms be relieved?

It is very unlikely that you will have all of these symptoms or even most of them. If you have any symptoms that are troubling you, let your doctor or nurse know. Sometimes radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be used to help symptoms. But there other things that can help. Read more about coping with side effects and symptoms.