My mother was diagnosed in January 2009 with stage four breast cancer. She had the tumor removed and nine lymph nodes. All of them were positive. She had a body scan and found the cancer had spread to the bone and liver. Test showed - spine (c1 & c5), cervix, left shoulder and arm, left leg (with fracture) and spots showing in several other areas. She did have radiation only on the left femur fracture. She was terribly ill and has since decided not to go through chemotherapy. She is human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) positive, as well. She is very tired all the time, sleeps a lot and is in so much pain she can't stand it. A recent MRI showed no sign of cancer in the brain yet. Our question is, with the given information, what is the "average" stage 4 breast cancer life expectancy? Her doctor has not been helpful and no one gives direct answers, ever. We just went through a long cancerous battle with my father and he passed in May 2008. No sugar coating needed here...thank you kindly.
Expert Answer by Andrew Putnam
Although we have no crystal ball, it is quite clear that your mother's condition is quite grave. Even without brain mets, liver mets and widespread bone mets make a short life-span likely. Average life expectancy for someone in your mother's condition could be 1 to 2 months. She could die from the cancer in her liver but also from the results of her inactivity due to pain and medications. It is important at this point that she do whatever she needs to do to prepare herself for the end of her life.
Answer
It's hard telling with any cancer. No, I'm no doctor by any means, but this May my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that started in her right breast and went to her lymphnods, lungs, liver, ovaries, and bone. Within a month after finding out she was put in the hospital for pain and she shattered her right hip and broke her left femur. A month after that she was released but obviously wheel chair bound. This past Friday they did a hip replacement where they had to remove some scar tissue as well as one tumor just to do the replacement. Their goal is to get her mobile for more chemo options. She pulled through the surgery and is expected to be released this week. They haven't given her a life expectancy, but she has already pulled through waaaayyyy more that they have expected her to pull through. Yes, cancer sucks, yes, it spreads quickly, but nothing is impossible. The best thing that she can do is stay as positive as possible through all of this and all pray for a miracle. Your mother and family are in my prayers. Heather
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