Cutaneous Metastatic Breast Cancer
This condition occurs when cancer cells from the primary breast tumor spread to the skin, forming new tumors or lesions. These skin metastases can appear as firm, painless lumps (nodules) or changes in skin color and texture. They often develop near the original tumor site, such as the chest wall or surgical scars, but can also appear on other places on the body like the scalp, neck, or arms.
Standard Treatment Options
Treatment for cutaneous metastatic breast cancer aims to manage symptoms and slow cancer progression.
- Hormone therapy: Used for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
- Chemotherapy: For hormone receptor-negative breast cancer.
- Targeted therapy: Focuses on specific cancer cell genes or proteins.
- Radiation therapy: To target and shrink skin lesions.
- Surgery: In some cases, to remove isolated skin metastases.
- Clinical trials: There is a clinical trial in progress that ended their phase II on 12/31/2024 using PDT therapy for skin cancer for CMBC. BCA has contacted the study and is awaiting a reply. We will updat the website upon new information.
Survival Rates
The survival rates for cutaneous metastatic breast cancer can vary based on factors like cancer subtype, patient health, and treatment response but generally is poor.
- 5-year survival rate for cutaneous metastases is around 22%.
- 10-year survival rate is almost non-existent
Off-Label and Alternative Treatments
BCA Founder & BossLady’s Personal Skin Salve Recipe (Roxann’s ILC metastasized to her Left Breast Skin in 2023) this along with her Off-Label Systemic Protocol has worked to stop ILC in her skin.
- ¼ tsp Black Blood Root Salve
- (1) .5 capsule of compounded Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
- 4 drops of Emu Oil
- 2 Droppers of DMSO
Mix well until the LDN is completely dissolved. Apply to the affected area of skin and a 1 inch rim of healthy surrounding skin using your freshly washed bare hands. This mixture will absorb through your hands as well which is very good. Keep the affected area uncovered for 45 minutes, massaging the mixture into the skin every 10 minutes.
Apply DAILY until the breast cancer no longer exists in any skin biopsies. Then apply weekly as maintenance.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses low-level red or near-infrared light to stimulate cellular repair, reduce inflammation, and promote healing in skin, muscles, and tissues. It’s often used for skin rejuvenation, pain relief, and recovery support and is proven very effective treatment for multiple skin conditions. Will it work for cancer? We don’t know yet – but it looks promising. What we do know is that is won’t hurt you – and it is already used in medicine for many other conditions.
How does red light therapy work?
Red light therapy works by stimulating the cell’s energy source: mitochondria. This improves cell function, which can:
- Promote healing
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve blood circulation
- Repair muscle and tissue
- Offer pain relief
Cancer causes inflammation and inflammation promotes cancer. Reducing inflammation in general helps promote cancer healing. One way that red light therapy is used in cancer care is for patients with oral mucositis, or mouth sores. More broadly, red light therapy may also help patients with general pain and inflammation. Our BossLady, Roxann started using it on her breast skin where the biopsies showed positive for ILC and she believes she may be on to something! Her tests are showing even less ILC breast cancer in her skin than before her use of it. It might just work for you too!
Here is a link to another Red Light Therapy device she is using. She puts it across her breasts. It is not covered by insurance for Cutaneous Metastiasis because it is not an FDA approved treatment.
Roxann bough both a standalone Red Light for direct light to her breast and also a neck Red Light because it fits right inside her bra and she can put it directly on her breast skin area affected by the ILC. She used both products to get her results. Your results may vary.
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PhotoDynamic Therapy (PDT)
How PDT Works
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Photosensitizer Absorption: A drug is administered by mouth, injection, or applied to the skin, where it selectively accumulates in cancer cells.
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Activation by Light: After a waiting period (typically 24–72 hours), the affected area is exposed to laser or LED light.
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Oxygen Radical Formation:The photosensitizer reacts with the light, producing highly reactive oxygen molecules that damage and kill cancer cells.
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Blood Vessel Disruption: PDT can also destroy tumor blood vessels, cutting off the cancer’s nutrient supply.
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Immune System Activation: The treatment may stimulate the immune system to attack remaining cancer cells.
Advantages of PDT
- Minimally Invasive: No surgical removal of tissue.
- Targeted treatment: Reduces damage to healthy cells.
- Repeatable: Can be used multiple times if needed.
PDT is commonly used for skin cancers, esophageal cancer, and lung cancer, but research is expanding its applications.
How PDT Works for Breast Cancer
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is being explored as a treatment for localized tumors and metastatic lesions. While PDT is not yet a standard treatment for breast cancer, research suggests it could be effective in targeting cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
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Photosensitizer Absorption: A light-sensitive drug accumulates in breast cancer cells.
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Light Activation: A specific wavelength of light is applied to the tumor, triggering a reaction.
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Oxygen Radical Formation: The activated drug produces highly reactive oxygen molecules, which destroy breast cancer cells.
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Tumor Blood Vessel Disruption: PDT can cut off the tumor’s blood supply, starving it of nutrients.
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Immune System Activation: The treatment may stimulate the immune system to attack remaining cancer cells.
Recent Advances
Researchers are developing new photosensitizing agents that improve PDT’s effectiveness for breast cancer. A study from UC Riverside and Michigan State University introduced cyanine-carborane salts, which target cancer cells more precisely while reducing side effects.
Challenges & Limitations
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Limited Tissue Penetration: Light does not penetrate deeply, making PDT more suitable for surface-level tumors.
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Sensitivity to Light: Patients may experience temporary light sensitivity after treatment.
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Not Yet Standard for Breast Cancer – PDT is FDA-approved for skin and lung cancers, but its use in breast cancer is still under investigation. However, if PDT is suitable for lung cancer tumors inside the body, why can’t that same reasoning be applied to internal breast cancer tumors?
References
- APA Abrams Roxann, 2025 www. breastcancersadvocate.com
- Cancer Center for Healing : ongoing research exploring red https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/what-is-red-light-therapy.h00-159701490.htmllight therapy for cancer.
- MD Andersen Red Light Therapy