Breast Cancer is a complex medical condition that requires individualized treatment based on the stage of Cancer at diagnosis.

Staging for Breast Cancer is the process of determining the extent and spread of the disease.

It helps healthcare professionals develop an effective treatment plan tailored to patients’ needs.

Among all types, Breast Cancer is one of the most common in women in the United States, affecting one in every three Cancer patients.

However, a correct diagnosis of the Cancer stages can help doctors develop effective treatment plans.

In this article, we will discuss the Breast Cancer stages and the characteristics of each stage.

Did you know?
Breast Cancer usually affects women, but men can get it too. 1 out of every 100 Breast Cancer patients is a man.

How is the Breast Cancer stage determined

breast cancer symptoms
Breast cancer diagnosis

Simply put, Cancer staging is a way to determine how extensive the condition is.

Stages of Breast Cancer describe

  • The size of the tumor
  • Its spread to Lymph nodes
  • Whether it has spread to other parts of the body
  • What its biomarkers are

Diagnostic tests help doctors to determine the stage of Cancer.

Knowing the stage can further help doctors to recommend the best treatment plans and predict the chance of recovery.

Two common ways breast Cancer stages can be described are:

  • TNM staging system
  • Stage groups for Breast Cancer
Warning
Before going forward, it is essential to note that there are other factors, such as hormone receptors, involved in determining the stage of Cancer.
Speak with a healthcare professional for the proper diagnostic procedures.

How TNM staging works

TNM staging is the most common tool that doctors use to describe the Cancer stage.

This system, developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), is used to assess Cancer’s location, size, and spread.

The letters in TNM describe the tumor in general and answer the questions, 

  • Tumor (T): Size of the primary tumor in the breast and what its biomarkers are
  • Node (N): If the tumor has spread to Lymph nodes and, if so, where it is, what its size is, and in how many nodes it has spread
  • Metastasis (M): If Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body

The prognosis results are then combined to determine the Cancer stage.

Stage groups for Breast Cancer

Doctor Consultation
Doctor Consultation

There are five general stage groups for Breast Cancer.

These stages describe how far tumors and/or Cancer cells have spread and help doctors to make possible treatment plans.

Breast Cancer stages are classified as follows:

Stage 0 Breast Cancer

Stage 0, known as Carcinoma in situ, is a noninvasive first stage of Breast Cancer.

Carcinoma in situ, in general, describes the group of abnormal cells found in the place where they were formed in the first place.

For example, Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) is a type of carcinoma in situ formed in the milk ducts of the breasts. 

It means the Cancer cells are found in the breast ducts or milk glands and have stayed there.

Stage 0 also implies that Cancer has been diagnosed early.

Stage I Breast Cancer

This stage is again subdivided into stage IA and stage IB based on whether Cancer has spread to Lymph nodes.

Stage IA

At this stage, the tumor is small and invasive but has not spread to the lymph nodes.

The tumor can measure up to 2 centimeters (cm).

Stage IB

Stage IB describes invasive Breast Cancer.

Any of the following conditions describe stage IB of Breast Cancer.

  • No tumor is found in the breast, but small groups of Cancer cells are found in the Lymph nodes. These groups are larger than 0.2 millimeters (mm) but smaller than 2 mm
  • Tumor smaller than 2 cm is found in the breast, and small groups of Cancer cells (between 0.2 mm and 2 mm) are found in the lymph nodes

In short, microscopic invasion is possible in stage I Breast Cancer, where the Cancer cells have just begun to invade the tissues outside the lining of the duct or lobule.

Stage II Breast Cancer

Stage II is subcategorized into IIA and IIB.

Stage IIA

Again, stage IIA can be characterized by different conditions,

  • No tumor is present in the breast. The Cancer cells (larger than 2 mm) are found in 1 to 3 Axillary Lymph Nodes (ALN) under the arm or near the breast bone.
  • Tumor (no more than 2 cm) has spread to the Axillary Lymph Nodes.
  • Tumor is between 2 cm and 5 cm, but has not spread to the Axillary Lymph Node.

Stage IIB

Stage IIB can be described as either:

  • The tumor is larger than 2 cm but no larger than 5 cm. Also, small groups of Cancer cells (between 0.2 mm and 2 mm) are present in the lymph nodes
  • The tumor measures 2 cm to 5 cm, and Cancer has spread to one to three Axillary Lymph Nodes or nodes near the breastbone.
  • Tumor measures more than 5 cm but has not spread to the ALN.

Stage III Breast Cancer

Stage III is again subcategorized into IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC.

Stage IIIA

At this stage, it is possible that no tumor is found in the breast, or it can be of any size.

Cancer cells are found in four to nine ALNs or in the lymph nodes near the breastbone.

Stage IIIA may also be a tumor that measures larger than 5cm, and small groups of Cancer cells (between 0.2 mm and 2 mm) are found in the lymph nodes.

Stage IIIB

At this stage, the tumor has spread to the chest wall or caused swelling or ulceration of the breast. 

The condition is then diagnosed as Inflammatory Breast Cancer.

The tumor has possibly spread to nine Axillary or internal mammary lymph nodes.

But, it has not spread to other body parts at this stage.

Stage IIIC

Breast Cancer is classified as stage IIIC if the tumor of any size has spread to 10 or more of the internal mammary and Axillary lymph nodes and/or the lymph nodes under the collarbone.

The tumor is not found in other parts of the body.

Stage IV

At this most severe stage, Cancer is metastasized or becomes mobile.

Tumor of any size has spread to other organs, such as the lungs, brain, bones, liver, distant lymph nodes, or chest wall.

This is the most advanced stage of Cancer, called Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Recurrent Breast Cancer

Recurrent Breast Cancer is when the disease has come back after the treatment.

Recurrent cases usually appear within the first two to three years after completion of treatment, but in some cases, the Cancer may recur many years later.

This can happen if some cancer cells have evaded the treatment and survived. 

These undetected Cancer cells can later multiply and cause recurrent Breast Cancer.

Takeaway

Breast Cancer is one of the most common diseases in women in the United States.

It is essential to determine the stage of Breast Cancer before starting treatment.

Diagnostic tests help doctors determine the stage of Cancer.

Breast Cancer can be described using different descriptions:

  • TNM staging system
  • Stage groups for Breast Cancer

Stage groups for breast Cancer are classified into five main parts, which are further uncategorized.

This classification is based on tumor and/or Cancer cell size, location, and how far it has spread in the body.

To learn more about breast Cancer stages in detail, consult your healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many stages of Breast Cancer are there?

Breast Cancer is divided into four stages, based on the size and extent of the tumor and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Stage 0 is non-invasive, while stages I-III are considered early-stage, and stage IV is advanced or metastatic Breast Cancer.

Does Breast Cancer hurt in the early stages?

Breast Cancer usually does not cause pain in the early stages. However, some people may experience breast pain or discomfort, which is not necessarily a sign of Cancer. Any persistent breast changes or symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

How do you detect Breast Cancer in the early stages?

Breast Cancer can be detected early through regular screening methods, such as mammography, clinical breast exams, and self-exams. Women should discuss their personal risk factors with a healthcare professional and develop a screening plan appropriate for their needs.

How is Breast Cancer staged?

Breast Cancer is staged based on the size of the tumor, whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body, and other factors such as hormone receptor status. Breast cancer stage is determined through imaging tests, biopsies, and other diagnostic procedures.

Can Breast Cancer recur after treatment?

Yes, Breast Cancer can recur after treatment, even if it has been in remission for many years. The risk of recurrence depends on several factors, including the stage of the Cancer at diagnosis, the aggressiveness of the Cancer, and the effectiveness of the initial treatment.

Citations:
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