Is surgery risky for stage 4 breast cancer in the elderly?

Question

Hello doctor,

Today, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer, stage 4. She has had a fracture in the hip bone for two days and was admitted to the hospital for that. Later, it was diagnosed as cancer.

They are planning to do surgery for the fracture, and after that, chemotherapy. Now she is unable to walk or sit. Is there any risk in doing surgery at this stage 4 of cancer? What is the treatment for this stage? What is the prognosis?

Kindly guide.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

She needs a PET-CT whole body scan to establish the sites of metastasis involved all over the body. Breast cancer with bone metastasis has a good prognosis. She needs six cycles of chemotherapy first, and then reassessment.

Surgery is indicated for the spine or bone for the fixation of fractures and local radiotherapy. Surgery or radiation for the breast is not warranted at present. If the spread involves liver, lung, or brain other than bone, then the prognosis will be bad.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.