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About the Metastatic Breast Cancer Program

  • Michael Hassett, MD, with a metastatic breast cancer patient

  • 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.

  • New Patient Appointments
    877-442-3324

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  • Keith L. Ligon, MD, PhD, Jean Zhao, PhD, and Nancy U. Lin, MD.

    Program for Patients with Breast Cancer Brain Metastases

    The Program for Patients with Breast Cancer Brain Metastases specializes in the treatment of patients with breast cancer that has spread to the brain. Our multidisciplinary team of internationally recognized experts includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, neuroradiologists, and pathologists, who work together to provide the highest level of care.

  • How to Choose a Treatment Center for Metastatic Breast Cancer

    Here is a list of questions to help determine if the cancer center you’re considering is right for you.

  • 2022-2023 EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer Forum Series

    The 2022-2023 EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer Forum Series of online educational programs for patients, families, and loved ones was held from October 2023 to May 2024. We hope you join us for the next series!

    View forum series recordings

  • Treating Metastatic Breast Cancer
    Metastatic breast cancer is a stage of breast cancer that has moved to other parts of the body. Eric P. Winer, MD, former chief of the Division of Breast Oncology at the Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers, describes metastatic breast cancer symptoms and treatment options.

  • Additional Information

    new patient coordinators

    Becoming a Patient

    As a new Dana-Farber patient, find answers to questions about your first visit: what to bring, how to find us, where to park, and how to prepare.

    cover supportive resources brochure

    Support Services and Amenities

    We offer a wide range of services, from financial planning to creative arts to spiritual counsel, to support our patients through their cancer experiences.

    Nikhil Wagle, MD

    A New Approach to Understanding Breast Cancer Treatment Resistance

    The information generated from this study has the potential to directly inform therapy choices for (ER)-positive patients.