BREAST CANCER - WITH DISTANT METASTASES OR RECURRENT

Breast Carcinoma (Stage IV); Metastatic Breast Carcinoma; Metastatic Breast Cancer; Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast (Stage IV); Metastatic Ductal Carcinoma; Metastatic Ductal Cancer; Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast Stage (IV); Metastatic Lobular Cancer

Diagnostic testing: The diagnosis of Breast Cancer is made by clinical breast examination and imaging tests, such as mammogram, ultrasound, and MRI. A needle or incisional biopsy confirms the diagnosis.

Physical findings: Individuals with listing level severity of Breast Cancer may present with:

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  A breast lump or changes in breast size or shape;

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  Skin dimpling or skin changes (e.g. Thickening, swelling or redness);

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  Nipple inversion or other nipple abnormalities (e.g. ulceration, retraction, or spontaneous bloody discharge);

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  Axillary lump or contour changes;

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  Dilated veins; or

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  Ulceration.

Signs of metastatic spread may include:

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  Breathing difficulties;

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  Bone pain;

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  Hypercalcemia;

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  Abdominal distention;

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  Jaundice;

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  Localizing neurologic signs;

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  Altered cognitive function or headache.

ICD-9: 174.9

The 5-year survival rate for breast cancers that have spread to other parts of the body tend to have a poor prognosis. The 5-year survival rate for individuals with stage IV breast cancer when appropriately treated is about 20%.

Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy.

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  Clinical history and examination that describes the diagnostic features of the impairment;

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  Summaries of hospitalization and medical reports if we cannot get a pathology report or operative note. These summaries should provide us with details of the findings at surgery and, whenever appropriate, the pathological findings; and

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  In place of an operative note, a pathology report indicating positive margins may be substituted.