Breast cancer stage is determined by:
- Size of the tumor
- Whether the cancer cells have spread to lymph nodes
- Whether cancer cells have spread to other parts of your body
Stage 0
Stage 0 refers to a non-invasive cancer where abnormal cells have not spread outside of the breast ducts or lobules into surrounding healthy breast tissue.
Stage 1 Breast Cancer
This is the earliest stage at which invasive breast cancer can be diagnosed. Stage 1 cancers are categorized as 1A or 1B based on the size of the tumor and whether cancer is present in the lymph nodes.
Stage 1A
The breast tumor is smaller than 2cm and has not spread to the lymph nodes
Stage 1B
- There is no tumor in the breast and there are small groups of cancer cells in the lymph nodes OR
- There is a tumor in the breast and there are small groups of cancer cells in the lymph nodes.
Stage 2 Breast Cancer
Stage 2 cancers are categorized as 2A or 2B based on the size of the tumor and whether cancer is present in the lymph nodes.
Stage 2A
- No tumor in the breast but cancer has spread to the lymph nodes OR
- Tumor smaller than 2cm and cancer has spread to the lymph nodes OR
- Tumor 2-5cm and has not spread to lymph nodes.
Stage 2B
- Tumor measures 2-5cm and cancer has spread to the lymph nodes OR
- Tumor measures 2-5cm and cancer has spread to 1-3 axillary lymph nodes OR
- Tumor measures larger than 5cm and cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes
Stage 3 Breast Cancer
Stage 3 cancers are categorized as 3A, 3B or 3C based on the size of the tumor and whether cancer has spread to lymph nodes or surrounding tissue. Stage 3C breast cancer is also categorized as operable or inoperable.
Stage 3A
- No tumor in the breast and cancer is found in 4-9 lymph nodes OR
- Tumor measures larger than 5cm and small clusters of cancer can be found in the lymph nodes OR
- Tumor measures larger than 5cm and cancer has spread to 1-3 axillary lymph nodes
Stage 3B
- There is a tumor of any size (or no tumor at all), cancer has spread to the chest wall or breast skin, and cancer may have spread to up to 9 axillary lymph nodes
- There is a tumor of any size (or no tumor at all), cancer has spread to the chest wall or breast skin, and cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breast bone
Stage 3C
- There is a tumor of any size (or no tumor at all) and cancer has spread to 10 or more axillary lymph nodes OR
- There is a tumor of any size (or no tumor at all) and cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the collarbone OR
- There is a tumor of any size (or no tumor at all) and cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the underarm or breastbone.
Stage 4 Breast Cancer
Stage 4 breast cancer, also called metastatic breast cancer, refers to breast cancer that has spread to other areas of the body, which usually includes the bones, lungs, liver or brain.
Schedule Your Mammogram
Mammograms save lives by finding breast cancer in the earliest and most treatable stage. When caught early at stage 1, breast cancer can be very effectively treated with 5-year survival rates at about 98%. If you haven’t had your mammogram yet, visit The Breast Center of Maple Grove. No appointment required. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday 7:30am-5:00pm, with late hours on Tuesdays until 8:00pm.
