Cancer is said to have metastasized when the cancerous cells spread to the other parts of the body. The signs and symptoms of this disease depend on what other organ has been affected by the rogue cells. If breast cancer metastasizes, it typically affects organs like the bones, brain, lungs, and liver. Bones The symptoms will usually include pain in the bones or joints that gets worse with physical activity, back or neck pain, numbness or weakness in some parts of the body, trouble urinating, nausea, constipation, lack of appetite, and extreme thirst. Lungs Persistent dry cough, wheezing, trouble breathing, coughing up blood and mucus, and chest pain are some common symptoms of breast cancer metastasizing to the lungs. Liver Jaundice, abdominal swelling, itching or rashes, and pain around the liver area are a few signs and symptoms that can come to the surface in case of liver metastasis. Brain If cancer has spread to the brain, it can cause symptoms such as headaches, memory problems, changes in vision, confusion, changes in mood or personality, difficulty in movement, balance issues, dizziness, seizures, and strokes. Treatments While there is no certain cure for this condition, treatments can help manage the signs and symptoms and also slow down the progression of metastatic breast cancer.

A protein receptor in our body, also called the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, controls the cells’ ability to grow, divide, or repair itself. However, when there is something wrong in the gene that is responsible for HER2 protein, the body starts creating too many receptors. This causes excess production of the breast cells, creating a tumor. Although this is one of the most aggressive types of breast cancers, it can be treated. The most common symptom for any breast cancer is a lump in the breast. Similarly, HER2 breast cancer causes different signs and symptoms like swelling of the breasts, change in the shape, skin irritation or dimpling, and pain in the nipple or breasts. There are other symptoms like thickening of the breast skin and discharge from the nipples. Learning of these symptoms can help one get an early diagnosis of cancer. Diagnosis of HER2-positive breast cancer Diagnosis for any breast cancer is the same except when the doctors suspect it to be HER2-positive. To confirm this, the doctors run three different tests: IHC test, FISH test, and SPOT-Light HER2 CISH along with the Inform HER2 Dun ISH tests. IHC test Short for ImmunoHistoChemistry, this test uses some specific antibodies that can detect HER2 protein from the sample of breast cancer tissues.

Breast cancer is a disease in which the breast cells grow uncontrollably. There are different types of breast cancer based on the breast cells that turn malignant. Breasts are made of three main parts—connective tissues, ducts, and lobules. Lobules are the mammary glands that produce milk, and the connective tissue is made of fibrous and fatty tissues that hold the breast together. Most forms of breast cancer begin at the lobules and ducts. Breast cancer is said to have metastasized if it spreads to other parts of the body through the lymph vessels and lobules. The symptoms of breast cancer are based on its stages, and the signs of metastatic breast cancer signs are visible in stage IV. Stage-based symptoms of breast cancer Stage 0 In this stage, there is no indication of the tumor spreading to other parts of the breast or other parts of the body. This stage of cancer is non-invasive and is considered to be a precancerous condition that requires close observation but no treatment. Unlike the signs of metastatic breast cancer, breast cancer in stage 0 is difficult to detect as there are no major physical changes visible. Self-examination and routine screening can lead to an early diagnosis.

A chronic digestive disorder, GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is located between the esophagus and the stomach. It occurs when bile or stomach acid flows into the esophagus and irritates the esophageal lining. People with GERD often experience heartburn or acid reflux. This condition is quite common, but it can be a cause for concern if a person suffers from acid reflux frequently. What causes GERD? Under normal circumstances, the LES relaxes when a person swallows. This allows food and liquid to flow into the stomach. The LES then closes up again. In some cases, the LES may relax in an abnormal way, or it may become weak. At such times, the stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus. Although this can be normal under some circumstances, it can cause problems if it happens too often. A constant backwash of acid will irritate the lining of the esophagus. The esophagus may become inflamed due to chronic GERD. An inflamed esophagus may make the food pathway narrow due to the formation of scar tissue at the lower end of the esophagus. At times, the tissue in the esophagus may wear away due to the constant flow of stomach acid.

Major depressive disorder or clinical depression has a negative effect on how a person feels, thinks, and reacts. It causes a perennial feeling of sadness accompanied by a loss of interest in once enjoyable activities. Moreover, it causes a number of emotional and physical problems that can decrease the affected person’s ability to function normally. As opposed to what many assume, depression is more than just bouts of blues. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 300 million people across the world suffer from depression. This health disorder requires long-term treatment. Treatments are often a combination of therapies, prescription medications, and lifestyle changes. How does the treatment for depression begin? The first step of treatment is to go through a physical examination. In some cases, medical conditions such as viral infections and certain medications cause symptoms similar to depression. A physical examination can rule out certain suspicions. Following that, a psychological evaluation is conducted either by the physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist. The evaluation will include a complete check of the symptoms and family history, especially for depressive illnesses. Finally, a doctor will conduct a mental status examination to determine whether thought and speech patterns or memory of the person have been affected.

Depression is an intense feeling of sadness that takes over a person’s will to do anything. It can make someone persistently sad without them being aware of the cause. Although people suffering from depression often don’t know what has caused it, there can be multiple factors that lead them into clinical depression. Understanding the causes and signs of depression becomes crucial to treat the condition from the roots. Major depressive disorder (MDD) Also known as clinical depression, the major depressive disorder has a lot to do with the moods of a person. It causes the person to feel depressed, lose interest in any activity that they once enjoyed, changes in sleep patterns, fatigue, face difficulty in concentration, feel worthless and guilty, and have suicidal thoughts. The exact cause of this type of depression is unknown; however, it is believed to be caused by certain life events, troubled childhood, triggers by alcohol or drug abuse, and even certain types of medication. Persistent depressive disorder Also known as dysthymia, this depression is chronic and can be mild to severe. Someone with the persistent depressive disorder might experience symptoms like difficulty in sleep, low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness, and fatigue. Persistent depressive disorder can be caused due to exposure to long-lasting and severe stress that interferes with brain chemistry.

The term metastatic is used to define cancer that spreads from the place of origin to other parts of the body. Metastatic breast cancer forms in the breasts but spreads to the lymph nodes and other organs such as the brain, lungs, or liver. In most cases, or rather in a majority of patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, there is no real cure for the disease. The main aim of most metastatic breast cancer treatment options is to majorly slow down the rate of progression of cancer, ease out the symptoms, and ultimately help improve the quality of life. Local recurrence treatment options are different from metastatic breast cancer treatment options and will entirely depend on both the size and location of the tumor. The primary course of metastatic breast cancer treatment is to suggest therapies that are targeted to the affected parts. Additionally, they should only have a few side effects. There are two forms to these therapies: local therapies and systemic therapies. Local therapies focus treatment to a single area in the body, while systemic therapies are ones which impact the whole body in general. Metastatic breast cancer treatment options Most of the metastatic breast cancer treatment options are similar to the regular forms of treatments available for various stages of breast cancer.

Depression can be caused by a combination of reasons. The factors that cause depression can be genetic, psychological, biological, or even environmental. The theory that depression is caused by an imbalance of chemicals or neurotransmitters in the brain has been difficult to prove, and the MRI’s of people suffering from depression appears different from those without depression. This cannot, however, explain why the person is undergoing depression or how it can be diagnosed. Scientists are still researching in order to find out what causes depression. Although certain genes may be responsible for causing depression, as it is known to run in some families, this cannot be said to be the only cause as people without a family history of depression also seem to suffer from it. Sometimes a depressive event in life can trigger a depressive episode. Certain trauma that may cause depression could include the loss of a loved one, relationship issues, stress, drug or alcohol abuse, certain medical conditions, and even certain medicines. There is, unfortunately, no established cure for depression. But there are certain therapies that are practiced in many depression treatment centers that can help patients suffering from depression. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective therapies that are followed widely in depression treatment centers:

When a patient is diagnosed with severe eosinophilic asthma, indicating the presence of more than normal levels of eosinophils, doctors begin treatment with a goal of controlling and improving the symptoms. This can be done by reducing the eosinophils that are present in the airways. As the levels of eosinophils reduce, a person will be able to regain control of their breathing. In most cases, patients respond favorably to therapies that work for asthma and therapies used in the treatment of eosinophilia. Some patients can develop resistance to these therapies. There are many treatment options available to control asthma attacks and improve the patient’s quality of life. Whereas a few options focus on controlling the asthma attacks, some focus on preventing inflammation in the lungs. New research has brought in tremendous possibilities with the introduction of lab-made antibodies that are injected into the patients. These medicines are grouped as biologic therapies. Corticosteroids Corticosteroids are a group of medications that are used to reduce inflammation in the body and are very commonly used to treat asthma. They are used in inhalers by those affected by many types of asthma. However, they are not as effective for severe eosinophilic asthma and have to be supplemented with corticosteroid pills.

Breast cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the breast cells. It is the most common form of cancer in women. It is vital to know that there are several types of breast cancer, and medical practitioners aim to identify the type as soon as a person has been diagnosed with this condition. The course of the disease and the recommended treatments depend on the type of breast cancer a person has. Doctors will conduct a biopsy of the breast to check if the tissues have any specific hormone receptors (HR) like estrogen receptors or progesterone receptors. Additionally, they also conduct tests to see if any HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) are present. Both these receptors are not only indicators of breast cancer but they also contribute to its development. The treatment options for HR- and HER2-positive breast cancer are determined on the basis of various individual factors. Understanding HER2-positive breast cancer HER2 proteins, also known as receptors, are created by the HER2 gene, and they are primarily responsible for controlling the growth as well as repair of healthy breast cells. When these proteins are overexpressed in the body due to the improper functioning of the HER2 gene, the reproduction rate of the breast cells spirals out of control.