Are there new treatments for stage 4 ductal carcinoma?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 45-year-old female still having regular periods. For the past week, I have noticed a discharge from my right nipple. After consulting a specialist and undergoing tests (mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy), I have been diagnosed with stage 4 ductal carcinoma. The estrogen receptor test was negative, but I do not fully understand its relevance to my cancer.

I thought breast cancer was more common in older, postmenopausal women. My mother had breast cancer in her 60s, and we lost her despite treatment. Are there new medicines for stage 4 breast cancer? Doctors say surgery alone is not enough why will not removing the cancerous breast cure me? How much time do I have left, doctor?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Estrogen receptor (ER) testing helps guide breast cancer treatment. Since your stage 4 ductal carcinoma has spread, surgery alone is not enough, and additional therapies like radiation and systemic treatments are needed. Breast cancer can occur at any age, and genetic factors like BRCA (breast cancer gene) mutations may play a role, so genetic testing with next-generation sequencing (NGS) is advised.

Treatment depends on the cancer subtype. ER-positive cancers respond to hormonal therapies like Tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors (for example, Anastrozole, Arimidex). HER2-positive cancers can benefit from targeted therapies like Trastuzumab (Herceptin). For triple-negative breast cancer, PARP inhibitors like Olaparib (Lynparza) may help if a BRCA mutation is present. Confirming your HER2 status is vital for planning the best treatment.

I hope this helps.

Let me know if you have any other concerns.

Thank you.