Breast Cancer Stages

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Breast Cancer Stages

The following is a brief descriptions of the different breast cancer stages as well as some of the more common treatments used for each breast cancer stage.

Breast Cancer Stages: Stage I & Stage II
Stages I and II are the early stages of breast cancer. In stage I the cancer cells have not spread beyond the breast. In stage II, one of the following has occurred: the tumor is less than 1 inch across and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm; the tumor is between 1 and 2 inches across with or without spreading to the lymph nodes under the arm; the tumor is larger than 2 inches but has not spread to the lymph nodes under the arm.

For these early breast cancer stages, breast-sparing surgery followed by radiation therapy is often used as a primary treatment. In addition, chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy, called adjuvant therapy, may also be given to try to destroy any remaining cancer cells and to prevent the cancer from recurring.

Breast Cancer Stages: Stage III
Stage III, or locally advanced cancer, means that the tumor in the breast is more than 2 inches across and the cancer is extensive in the underarm lymph nodes or has spread to other lymph nodes or tissues near the breast.

Many patients with stage III breast cancer will have both local and systemic treatment to remove the cancer and stop it from spreading. The local treatment may include surgery as well as radiation therapy. Systemic treatments may include chemotherapy or hormonal therapy.

Breast Cancer Stages: Stage IV
Stage IV breast cancer occurs when the cancer has spread from the breast to other parts of the body. This is called metastatic breast cancer. Women with stage IV breast cancer often receive chemotherapy and hormonal therapy along with surgery and radiation. Radiation may also be used to control tumors in other parts of the body.