Staging may involve x-rays and lab tests. These tests can show whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to what parts of your body. When breast cancer spreads, cancer cells are often found in lymph nodes under the arm (axillary lymph nodes). The stage of breast cancer often is not known until after surgery to remove the tumor in your breast and the lymph nodes under your arm.
These are the stages of breast cancer:
Stage 0
Stage I
Stage II
Stage III
Stage IV
Recurrent Cancer
Stage 0 is carcinoma in situ:
1. Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS): Abnormal cells are in the lining of a lobule. LCIS seldom becomes invasive cancer. However, having LCIS in one breast increases the risk of cancer for both breasts.
2. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): Abnormal cells are in the lining of a duct. DCIS is also called intraductal carcinoma. The abnormal cells have not spread outside the duct. They have not invaded the nearby breast tissue. DCIS sometimes becomes invasive cancer if not treated.
Stage I is an early stage of invasive breast cancer. The tumor is no more than 2 centimeters (three-quarters of an inch) across. Cancer cells have not spread beyond the breast.
Stage II is one of the following:
Stage III is locally advanced cancer. It is divided into Stage IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC.
1. Stage IIIA is one of the following:
2. Stage IIIB is a tumor of any size that has grown into the chest wall or the skin of the breast. It may be associated with swelling of the breast or with nodules (lumps) in the breast skin.
3. Stage IIIC is a tumor of any size. It has spread in one of the following ways:
Stage IV is distant metastatic cancer. The cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Recurrent cancer
Recurrent cancer is cancer that has come back (recurred) after a period of time when it could not be detected. It may recur locally in the breast or chest wall. Or it may recur in any other part of the body, such as the bone, liver, or lungs.
To learn the different breast cancer treatments for each stage, read Breast Cancer Treatment Choices By Stage.
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Catharine “Kate” is a Certified Administrator for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) and an Expert Senior Care Advisor. Kate’s grandmother battled Alzheimer’s Disease and Kate personally understands what millions of families are going through. Kate and her team are very passionate in empowering Seniors and their families by providing them with the Best Available Senior Care Options based on Senior’s care needs, preferred location and family’s budget.
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