Primary breast cancer is distinct from and separate from primary liver cancer. However, there is a strong link between primary breast cancer and secondary or metastatic liver cancer. When breast cancer advances to stage IV, the cancer spreads to secondary sites in the body. The liver is a common site of metastases caused by breast cancer. Generally, cancer goes to the bones or lungs first and then the liver, but in 10% of cases, the liver is the first site of metastases caused by breast cancer.
Treatment
Once primary breast cancer spreads or metastases to the liver, it is generally not curable. However systemic (whole body treatments) are administered to slow the growth of the cancer, extend longevity, maximize quality of life and minimize symptoms of metastases. New drugs have been successful in treating liver metastases, and improving the length and quality of life for breast cancer patients whose cancer spreads to the liver. These treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or some combination of these methods.
Liver Surgery
Liver surgery is not usually recommended for metastatic liver cancer, because the presence of metastases in the liver generally suggests that the cancer has infiltrated other parts of the body as well. However, for small local spots of metastases on the liver, surgery may be possible due to the livers capacity or regeneration. Up to 80% of the liver can be removed and will restore itself within several weeks. Surgery can take the form of ablation--the use of a chemical to destroy the tumor--or cyrosurgery--the use of a needle inserted into the tumor to freeze the tumor.
Trastuzumab
Women with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer and liver metastases may be given a drug called Trastuzumab intravenously (injected into the veins). Trastuzumab slows the growth of the cancer cells, and can increase longevity by allowing the cancer cells to grow more slowly in the liver and other possible spots of metastases.
Bevacizumab
Bevacizumab is a relatively new treatment administered for metastatic breast cancer with metastases to the liver. It also prevents the growth of cancer cells and slows the process of metastases. This drug works by blocking the tumors access to the blood vessels which the tumors need to grow. It is usually administered in conjunction with chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy
Various chemotherapy drugs, especially taxol, are administered systemically to help to slow the growth of the cancer cells in the liver and other possible areas throughout the body. The chemotherapy travels through the blood stream and interferes with cell reproduction throughout the body. Because cancer cells reproduce frequently, chemotherapy agents that interfere with this reproduction can increase the lifespan of patients with breast and liver cancer.
Tags: breast cancer, cancer cells, growth cancer, liver cancer, metastases liver, cancer spreads, growth cancer cells
