UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center

Every case of metastatic breast cancer is unique, just like every person. When you come to the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, our experienced team will treat you as an individual and work with you to create a treatment plan that best suits your needs.

Breast cancer is considered metastatic when it spreads to the bones, brain, lungs or other sites in the body outside of the breast and nearby lymph nodes. We offer the latest whole-body treatments like immunotherapy and other novel therapies, which are improving the lives of many people with metastatic breast cancer. New drugs combining chemotherapy with targeted therapy are also helping many patients live longer, including those with breast cancer that has spread to a limited number of sites.

Whether you were just diagnosed or have received several rounds of therapy elsewhere, you have access to a wide range of clinical trials at UChicago Medicine. We are especially committed to offering more options for metastatic breast cancer patients who develop resistance to their current therapy and see their cancer progress.

Call 855-702-8222

Frequently Asked Questions About Metastatic Breast Cancer

How is metastatic breast cancer treated?

Although there is no cure for the majority of patients with metastatic breast cancer, treatment advances are happening every day and helping many people with the disease live longer, fuller lives. Our medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, nurses and other experts will work together to determine the best treatment plan for you. 

This plan depends on several factors, including:

  • Your type of cancer, specifically:
    • Is your breast cancer HER2-positive, meaning a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 makes it grow?
    • Is your breast cancer hormone-receptor positive, meaning estrogen (ER-positive) or progesterone (PR-positive) makes it grow?
    • Is your breast cancer triple-negative (an aggressive form of breast cancer that is estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and HER2-negative)?
  • Your genetics, specifically if you have mutations on the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes
  • The number and size of tumors that have spread to other parts of your body
  • Your personal goals and preferences
  • Your overall health and other medical conditions

For metastatic breast cancer, we often recommend systemic treatments like immunotherapies and targeted therapies. But we may also suggest other treatments to improve your quality of life and reduce pain and other symptoms. These are some of the advanced treatments we have available to treat breast colorectal cancer:

 

What can I expect when I come to UChicago Medicine for metastatic breast cancer treatment?

You can expect comprehensive and compassionate care that is centered on you. Our metastatic breast cancer team will work collaboratively with you to determine the best options to manage your symptoms and extend your life. We strive to offer treatments that fit your lifestyle, so you can continue to do what you want — whether that is working, traveling or spending time with your loved ones.

Our physician-scientists are also deeply committed to finding new and better ways to treat metastatic breast cancer through clinical trials that are not available at most hospitals. Wherever you meet with our specialists, we can connect you with the care you need. Request an appointment to connect with our specialists and begin your evaluation.

 

Our Breast Cancer Care Locations

Request an Appointment

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 1-855-702-8222 to schedule your appointment.

If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

For Referring Physicians

To refer a patient for breast cancer care, please call UCM Physician Connect at 1-800-824-2282

 

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By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.
medical oncologist Olwen Hahn, MD

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