Contents:
- Medical Video: Breast Cancer | Staging | Nucleus Health
- Stage of breast cancer
- Stage 0
- Stage 1
- Stage 2
- Stage 3
- Stage 4
Medical Video: Breast Cancer | Staging | Nucleus Health
Breast cancer can only be diagnosed through examination of breast tissue. Biopsy plays an important role in the diagnosis of breast cancer. To understand the diagnosis, you must know the stage of breast cancer and its symptoms. Make a note of all the symptoms and complaints you feel, then consult your doctor for a more accurate explanation.
Stage of breast cancer
Staging of breast cancer must be confirmed before the diagnosis is complete and treatment is chosen. This process can determine whether the cancer has spread from the breast to other parts of the body. The most commonly used system is American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM system. In the TNM staging system, cancer is classified according to stages T, N, and M:
- T shows tumor size and how far the tumor spreads in the nearby breast and organs
- N shows the number of tumors that have spread to lymph nodes
- M shows metastasis, or the spread of tumors to distant organs
- In the TNM stage, each letter is indicated by a number to explain how far the cancer has developed. After the TNM stage has been determined, these results are combined into a process called "stage grouping"Or grouping stage. Stage grouping is a common method for staging the cancer, starting from stage 0 to 4. The lower the number, the lighter the cancer stage.
Stage 0
This stage describes noninvasive breast cancer ("in situ"). Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is an example of stage 0 cancer.
Stage 1
Breast cancer at this stage is divided into two categories (1A and 1B) based on several criteria.
This stage marks the first identification of invasive breast cancer. At this point, the tumor steps are no more than 2 cm in diameter (or about 3/4 inch). Stage 1 breast cancer is divided into stages 1A and 1B.
Stage 1A is a condition when the tumor size is around 2 cm or smaller and the cancer has not spread to the outside area of the breast.
Stage 1B is a condition when a small number of breast cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes. Usually at this stage, there are no large tumors in the breast and tumors measuring 2 cm or smaller.
Stage 2
This stage shows invasive breast cancer that meets one of the conditions, including:
- The tumor size is less than 2 cm (3/4 inch), but has spread to lymph nodes under the arm
- The size of the tumor is in the range of 2 cm and 5 cm (about 3/4 inch to 2 inches) and may have spread to the lymph nodes under the arm
- The tumor size is larger than 5 cm (2 inches), but has not spread to each lymph node
- There is no discrete tumor in the breast, but breast cancer larger than 2 millimeters is found in 1-3 lymph nodes under the arm or near the sternum
Stage 2 breast cancer is divided into stages 2A and 2B.
In stage 2A, no tumor is found in the breast or the tumor size is smaller than 2 cm. Cancer can be found in lymph nodes at this stage, or the tumor is larger than 2 cm but smaller than 5 cm and the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.
In stage 2B, the size of the tumor may be larger than 2 cm, smaller than 5 cm, and breast cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes. The tumor may also be larger than 5 cm, but the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes.
Stage 3
By definition, stage 3 cancer has not spread to distant places.
Tumors in stage 3A are larger than 5 cm (2 inches) and have spread to 1-3 lymph nodes under the arm, or the size of the tumor can vary and have spread to several lymph nodes.
Tumors in stage 3B in various sizes have spread to tissues near the breast (skin and chest muscles) and may have spread to lymph nodes in the breast or under the arm.
Stage 3C cancer is a tumor of various sizes that has spread to:
- Ten or more lymph nodes under the arm
- Lymph nodes above or below the collarbone and near the neck on the same side of the body affected by cancer
- Lymph nodes under the arm and in the breast itself
Stage 4
Stage 4 breast cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, bones, or brain. At this stage, cancer has progressed and curative treatment options are very limited.
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