Metastatic breast cancer often affects the bones or the brain. Radiation treatments are often used to treat breast cancer that has spread to the bones or brain. They may be a good choice to treat brain metastases, relieve bone pain, and control the spread of the cancer. The treatments reduce pain and can control the spread of the breast cancer. The type and length of radiation therapy depends on the extent of the breast cancer, the area of the body affected, your general health, and other symptoms you may be having. Even though radiation treatments may not cure your cancer, they may improve your quality of life.

Clinical trials are ongoing to test other treatments for metastatic or recurrent breast cancer. If you have been diagnosed with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer, talk with your doctor about participation in a clinical trial.