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Table of Contents

About Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Basics

Diagnosis & Staging

Risk Factors & Genetics

Benign Breast Conditions

The Stages of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is divided into stages based on the size of the tumor, whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Staging helps doctors determine the best treatment and gives patients a clearer understanding of their diagnosis.

Doctors use a system called TNM:

  • T (Tumor): Size of the main tumor
  • N (Nodes): Whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes
  • M (Metastasis): Whether cancer has spread to distant organs

From this, breast cancer is grouped into Stage 0 through Stage IV.

Stage 0

Non-Invasive (Carcinoma in Situ)

  • Cancer cells are present but have not spread outside the milk ducts or lobules
  • Often referred to as DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ)
  • Highly treatable and curable
  • Usually detected by mammogram

Stage I

Early-Stage Invasive Cancer

  • Tumor is small (2 cm or less)
  • Cancer may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes
  • Very high survival rate
  • Treatment is usually surgery followed by radiation and/or medication

Stage II

Local Spread

  • Tumor may be:
    – Larger than 2 cm, or
    – Found in nearby lymph nodes
  • Still considered highly treatable
  • Often treated with surgery, radiation, and systemic therapies (such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy)

Stage III

Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

  • Tumor is large, or
  • Cancer has spread to many nearby lymph nodes, chest wall, or skin
  • Has not spread to distant organs
  • Requires aggressive treatment including chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and targeted therapies

Stage IV

Metastatic Breast Cancer

  • Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as:
    – Bones
    – Liver
    – Lungs
    – Brain
  • It is not considered curable, but it is treatable
  • Many people live long, meaningful lives with ongoing treatment
Important to Know

Stage does NOT mean prognosis alone.

Outcomes also depend on:

  • Hormone receptor status (ER, PR)
  • HER2 status
  • Tumor grade
  • Overall health

Early detection saves lives.

Cancers found at Stage 0 or I have survival rates above 90–99%

Treatment today is more personalized and effective than ever before