Metastatic Breast Cancer Program

Treating patients with metastatic breast cancer is a significant part of our practice at the Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers. Our doctors, nurses, research staff, social workers, and others provide continuous care, support, and assistance. Through our program, called EMBRACE (Ending Metastatic Breast Cancer for Everyone), we are committed to providing each patient with the best and most personalized treatment options available, taking advantage of the full range of services of a top-ranked cancer hospital and research center.

We welcome the opportunity to care for you. We can also partner with your local oncologist to review your options throughout your journey. Call us at 877-442-3324.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment

When breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, such as the bones, brain, liver, or lungs, it is called metastatic (also referred to as advanced or stage IV).

Although it is not curable, metastatic breast cancer can be treatable. Today, with new therapies, including biologic targeted treatments and novel drug combinations, many women with metastatic breast cancer can live well for many years. Through our overarching metastatic breast cancer program, called EMBRACE (Ending Metastatic Breast Cancer for Everyone), our experts offer standard therapies as well as multiple clinical trials for each subtype of metastatic breast cancer.

We care for a greater number of patients living with metastatic breast cancer, and offer more clinical trials, than any other cancer center in New England. We offer ongoing educational opportunities for referring physicians as well as patients. We also conduct a longitudinal study (also called EMBRACE) on outcomes for women with metastatic breast cancer.

Just as we create a personalized treatment approach for your specific type of cancer, we also design an individual plan of care and support for you and your loved ones, based on your goals and values.

Near or far, we are here for you

As partners in your treatment, you can choose to come to Dana-Farber for your care; or our care team can also collaborate with you and your local oncologist during the course of your treatment if you live a distance away. Near or far, we are here to provide active, continuous care to help you achieve the highest possible quality of life and make informed decisions about your care.

Compassionate Clinical Care, Comprehensive Support Services

Our care team works closely with each patient, providing the expertise and collaboration of many specialists. Experts from medical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology coordinate your care to ensure that you will receive the combination of treatments that is best for you, and enjoy the best possible quality of life.

In addition to medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists and nurses, your care team can include social workers, nutritionists, psychologists and psychiatrists, exercise physiologists, integrative therapists (acupuncturists, massage therapists), and others.

Learn more about how we treat breast cancer.