| Determining the breast cancer stages is important | | | | For this particular stage, it is also known as an |
| since it enables the patient and doctor to identify | | | | invasive type of cancer and is broken down into |
| the treatment necessary for one's condition. Also, | | | | two more categories: |
| it is essential in assessing the risk of the given | | | | 1) Stage IIA |
| condition and what lifestyle changes the patient | | | | Even in this particular stage, the conditions can be |
| can do to improve their health. | | | | different:o A tumor does not exist in the breast |
| Identifying A Breast Cancer's Stage | | | | but cancerous cells are detected in the lymph |
| When talking about stages, it is aimed at | | | | nodes.o A tumor could exist but measures less |
| describing the extent of the cancer in the body. | | | | than 2 centimeters;o The tumor has expanded |
| Doctors often start to classify whether it is | | | | beyond 2 centimeters but less than 5 centimeters |
| invasive or non-invasive. Other factors considered | | | | without reaching the lymph nodes. |
| are the tumor size, number of nymph modes | | | | 2) Stage IIB |
| involved, and what other parts of the body it has | | | | This invasive level of the cancer are recognized |
| managed to affect. | | | | as either one of the following:o The tumor |
| Determining a cancer's stage is helpful during | | | | exceeds 2 centimeters in size but less than 5 |
| prognosis and deciding on a treatment option. | | | | centimeters, while also reaching the lymph nodes.o |
| To determine the stage, a few standard | | | | The tumor is more than 5 centimeters in size but |
| procedures are done by the doctor on a patient. | | | | has not yet reached the axillary lymph nodes. |
| They undergo physical exam and biopsy to | | | | Breast Cancer Stage III |
| acquire the data needed by the doctor for the | | | | 1) Stage IIIA |
| diagnosis. | | | | In this stage, the tumor could either be detected |
| If needed, further tests are also conducted such | | | | or not. Aside from the axillary lymph nodes, |
| as imaging tests that include x-ray, bone scans, | | | | cancer can also stick to other structures outside |
| mammograms for the breasts, CT scans, | | | | of the lymph nodes and become clumped |
| positron emission tomography (PET), and | | | | together. |
| magentic resonance imaging. | | | | 2) Stage IIIB |
| Now that the importance of determining the | | | | In this stage, the tumor can grow in size and |
| different breast cancer stages have been clarified, | | | | affect other areas of the body outside of the |
| as well as the methods used to identify them, it is | | | | actual breast, whether th chest wall or skin of the |
| now time to move on to discussing each of them. | | | | breast. This is the stage wherein inflammatory |
| Take note of the features and extent of the | | | | breast cancer takes place. |
| disease in each of the stages: | | | | 3) Stage IIIC |
| Breast Cancer Stage 0 | | | | In some cases, sign of breast cancer might not |
| This stage renders the case of breast cancer to | | | | be detectable yet. However, the tumor could |
| be non-invasive. At this point, cancer or | | | | already be spreading towards the breast skin, |
| non-cancerous cells cannot be detected yet. | | | | chest wall, and below your collarbone. |
| The abnormal cells are still at the stage wherein | | | | Breast Cancer Stage IV |
| they try to spread out within the specific part of | | | | In this level, the cancerous cells have managed to |
| the breast where the cells are rooted. Also, they | | | | spread to various organs of the body. Therefore, |
| can try to expand on the neighboring tissues as | | | | the cancer is no longer restricted on the breast |
| the cancerous cells continue to grow. | | | | and lymph nodes, which signifies the initial diagnosis |
| Breast Cancer Stage I | | | | of breast cancer. The reason why diagnosis is |
| Once it enters this stage, it is now categorized as | | | | done only during this stage is because cancerous |
| an invasive type. Meaning, the cancer cells have | | | | cells were not detected while still within the |
| now worked their way towards the neighboring | | | | breast. |
| tissues. Stage I breast cancer also exhibit the | | | | Recognizing breast cancer stages does more than |
| following characteristics:o The cancerous tumor | | | | just identifying treatment options, but also enables |
| has reached the size of 2 centimeters.o No lymph | | | | doctors and patients to understand the |
| modes are affected. | | | | developmental pattern of the disease. |
| Breast Cancer Stage II | | | | |