Stages of Breast Cancer

There are various Stages of Breast Cancer. Staging is a way to explain the spread of breast cancer, including the size of the tumour, whether it has spread to lymph nodes, whether it has spread to distant parts of the body, and its biomarkers. Staging can be done before or after surgery on a patient. Doctors use diagnostic tests to determine the cancer stage, so the stage may not be completed until all tests have been completed. Knowing the location helps doctors decide which treatment is best and can predict the patient’s prognosis or chance of recovery. There is a different stage description for each type of cancer.

Stage 0 In stage 0, also called carcinoma in situ, the cancer cells are confined to the ducts, leaves, or nipples. There are no cancer cells in adipose tissue or lymph nodes. This stage is sometimes referred to as “precancerous disease.” 

IA Stage of Breast Cancer

In step IA, cancer forms a tumour of fewer than 2 centimetres. Cancer did not spread outside the breast. 

IB Stage of Breast Cancer

In stage IB, there are small clusters of breast cancer cells in the lymph nodes.

In some cases, there are small tumours. In other cases, there is no tumour in the breast. 

Stage IIA

There are two different types of issues that can be classified as Stage IIA. In some cases, as in stage IA, there is no tumour in the breast, or the tumour is less than 2 centimetres, but cancer cells have been found in at least one to three or fewer lymph nodes. In other cases, the cancer is 2 to 5 centimetres in other instances, but cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes. 

Stage IIB

IIB Breast Cancer Stage is used when the tumour is 2 to 5 centimetres in size and has spread to the lymph nodes, but the lymph nodes have only small clusters of cancer cells that are less than 2 millimetres in length. I can’t see it. This classification is also used for tumours larger than 5 centimetres when cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes. Stage IIIA

It is one of the stages of breast cancer where cancer cells have been found in the lymph nodes. The tumour can be of any size. When lymph nodes are affected, there is an increased risk that cancer may spread or spread to other parts of the body. 

Stage IIIB 

In this stage, lymph nodes are usually involved, and cancer has spread to the chest wall and skin, causing ulcers. If the skin is affected, it can be inflammatory breast cancer, and the entire breast becomes painful, red, and enlarged.

Stage IIIC

At this stage, cancer spreads further and often affects the lymph nodes above or below the clavicle and the lymph nodes below the arm and near the sternum. The skin and chest wall can also be affected. Some stage IIIC cancers are inoperable, and some can be treated with surgery.

Stage IV

Cancer has spread to other body parts through the lymph nodes and bloodstream. The brain, lungs, liver and bones are most commonly affected. The prognosis at this stage is inferior. One thing to keep in mind about these stages of breast cancer is that any stage can progress to stage IV without treatment. Therefore, early detection and early treatment are essential.