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According to statistics from the Global Cancer Organization (Globocan), in 2020, Vietnam had 21,555 new cases of breast cancer, accounting for 25.8% of the total number of cancer cases in women.

Based on tumor size, extent of axillary lymph node metastasis, distant or near metastasis, breast cancer is divided into 5 stages: 0, I, II, III and IV.

Despite having a higher survival rate than other malignancies, distant metastasis has long been the main cause of death in breast cancer patients.

Symptoms when cancer metastasizes to the brain

Symptoms depend on the part of the brain affected and may include: headache, dizziness, nausea, numbness and weakness in limbs, sudden loss of vision, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, difficulty keeping balance, and convulsions.

Cancer metastases to the brain leading to headaches and memory problems.

Causes of breast cancer metastasis to the brain

Brain metastasis occurs when cancer cells from the original site travel through the circulatory or lymphatic system to the brain and form a new tumor.

It is impossible to predict whether a breast cancer patient will develop brain metastases or not. We can only localize some factors that may increase the risk of this metastasis.

Note, not all breast cancer patients with any of the above risk factors are guaranteed brain metastases.

Diagnosis and treatment

Doctors rely on clinical manifestations and various tests to make a diagnosis.

Treatment of brain metastases depends on many factors: extent, location, metastasis to one organ or many organs, cell analysis and patient health status.

Patients treated for breast cancer need to comply with the treatment regimen.

Outlook for patients with brain metastases

According to the US National Cancer Institute, the 5-year survival rate for metastatic breast cancer is 29%.

The key to breast cancer treatment is screening to detect the disease early and comply with the treatment regimen.