Understanding Stage 3 Breast Cancer: What You Need to Know
Breast Cancer affects millions of women worldwide.
It is divided into phases based on how far the cancer has gone and how it affects the body.
Stage 3 Breast Cancer is an advanced and severe stage of the disease.
The cancer has spread beyond the breast tissue to neighboring lymph nodes or other body areas during this stage.
However, it can still be managed with proper treatment and care.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports that 86 percent of females with stage 3 Breast Cancer can survive the disease for five years.
Continue reading the article to know more about Stage 3 Breast Cancer.
What is stage 3 Breast Cancer
If cancer has progressed to stage 3, it has most likely moved from the breast to lymph nodes close to the breast, the skin of the breast, or the chest wall.
This type of Breast Cancer is also known as locally advanced Breast Cancer.
Treatment and prognosis for Breast Cancer stage 3 can be affected by various factors, including how far cancer has spread.
Symptoms of Stage 3 Breast Cancer
Some of the symptoms of Stage 3 Breast Cancer may include:
- Dimpling, redness, scaliness, or open sores on the breasts
- Breast or armpit lumps
- Discharge, peeling, flaking, or an inverted or flattened nipple
- Breast changes
- Itchiness or pain
- Swollen, red, or heated breasts
Stage 3 Breast Cancer survival rate
The stage 3 Breast Cancer survival rate is 86%, according to National Cancer Institute, which improving over the years.
Stage 3A Breast Cancer has a better chance of survival than stages 3B and 3C.
Nonetheless, there are a variety of promising therapeutic options available to any woman diagnosed with stage 3 Breast Cancer.
Grouping of stage 3 Breast Cancer
Stage 3 Breast Cancer has been divided into three groups:
It helps assess the severity of the cancer and the treatment that will be most effective.
Stage 3A
One of the following characteristics can be used to describe Breast Cancer at the stage 3A level:
- Cancer has spread in 4 to 9 lymph nodes under the arm or at the breastbone, or there is either no tumor in the breast or the tumor is of any size.
- Small clusters of breast cancer cells are seen in the lymph nodes, and the tumor is larger than 5 cm.
- The tumor is bigger than 5 cm and has progressed to up to three lymph nodes in the armpit or near the breastbone.
Stage 3B
One of the following characteristics can be used to describe Breast Cancer at the stage 3B level:
- The tumor has spread to the breast’s skin or the chest wall, including the surrounding lung tissues like the ribs, muscles, skin, or connective tissues.
- The cancer has caused the skin to break down (an ulcer) or to swell.
- Cancer could have progressed to 9 lymph nodes in the armpit or the lymph nodes close to the breastbone.
- Stage 3B Breast Cancer can sometimes also lead to Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
Stage 3C
In stage 3C, the tumor can be of any size, or there might not even be a tumor.
However, cancer has spread to the chest wall from the breast skin and results in swelling or ulcers.
It can also spread to the following structures:
- Ten lymph nodes or more in the armpit
- The lymph nodes that are above or below the collarbone
- The lymph nodes that are in the armpit and near the breastbone
Doctors categorize Stage 3C breast Cancer into those that can be operated on, also known as operable Breast Cancer, and those that cannot, also known as inoperable cancers.
Is stage 3 Breast Cancer curable
Stage 3 Breast Cancer can be treated with aggressive treatment and care.
In stage 3 Breast Cancer, combining different treatments can be the best option.
The following treatments are available for Breast Cancer in stage 3:
Chemotherapy
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy may be offered before breast-conserving surgery for Stage 3A Breast Cancer.
It shrinks tumors and kills lymph node cancer.
Chemotherapy is usually given after surgery, if not before.
Some breast-conserving surgery patients receive further Chemotherapy following neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.
Surgery
Most of the time, surgery is the first step in treating Breast Cancer in Stage 3.
The goal of surgery is to eliminate the cancer and as much of the surrounding tissue around it as possible.
Depending on the details of the case, surgery may involve:
- Lumpectomy (removal of the tumor and some surrounding tissue)
- Mastectomy (removal of the entire breast)
- Combination of both
Radiation Therapy
After surgery, radiation therapy is frequently suggested as an option for women diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer.
Radiation therapy, which may also be referred to by its other name, radiotherapy, is a form of treatment for cancer.
Beams of high-powered energy are used in this treatment method to eradicate cancer cells.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy can be conducted if hormones drive cancerous cell growth.
It is done to slow or stop the growth of cancerous cells to lessen the danger of cancer recurring.
In cases of hormone receptor-positive Stage 3 Breast Cancer, hormonal therapy is always considered as an option.
Tamoxifen is a medication offered as a form of Hormone therapy.
Targeted drug therapy
Drugs used to treat specific forms of Breast Cancer are known as targeted therapy.
They are only appropriate for some patients.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy strengthens the body’s immune system to recognize better and eliminate cancer cells.
Pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy medication, may be administered to patients before and after surgery.
Takeaway
Stage 3 Breast Cancer represents an advanced and challenging phase of the disease, where cancer has often spread beyond the breast tissue.
However, there is hope in various treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted drug therapy, and even immunotherapy.
According to the National Cancer Institute, the survival rate for Stage 3 Breast Cancer has improved over the years, with 86% of patients surviving for five years or more.
Early detection and a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan are crucial in managing this stage.
It emphasizes the importance of regular screenings and seeking medical attention for any concerning symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stage 3 breast cancer curable?
With proper and timely treatment, Stage 3 Breast Cancer is treatable. Some treatments for Stage 3 Breast Cancer include Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, surgery, and hormone replacement therapy, among others. However, there is a high chance that the cancer might come back after treatment.
Is Stage 3 cancer a terminal?
Stage 3 cancer may be curable. Though more advanced than stage 1 or 2, it can often be cured, and the patient may go into remission and live a long, healthy life. However, the prognosis depends on the cancer type, the spread of the cancer, and patient health.
Is Stage 3 breast cancer severe?
Stage 3 breast cancer is severe since it has progressed beyond the breast tissue and lymph nodes. The tumor may have moved to the bones or lungs. Thus, Stage 3 Breast Cancer can significantly impair a patient’s quality of life and prognosis.
What is the life expectancy in Stage 3?
Survival rates and life expectancy for people with stage 3 breast cancer are improving. Currently, 86% of women and 83% of men with Stage 3 Breast Cancer will be alive after five years.
How long do people live with Stage 3?
According to the statistics provided by the American Cancer Society, the relative survival rate for Stage 3 Breast Cancer over five years is 86 percent. This indicates that out of every 100 people diagnosed with Breast Cancer at stage 3, 86 will be alive after five years.
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