Understanding Breast Cancer Stages

Breast cancer starts in the breast tissue and is among the most common cancers affecting women. Men can also develop breast cancer, as they possess some breast tissue.

Fortunately, survival rates for breast cancer have been increasing. This improvement is largely due to greater awareness and advancements in research, enabling earlier detection, which is vital for a better prognosis.

Breast cancer is categorised into stages, and understanding these stages can help one detect early signs of breast cancer in the starting stage and seek medical attention.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is the unrestrained growth of cells in breast tissue that causes a mass or a tumour. It typically occurs in the milk-producing glands, milk-carrying ducts, fatty tissue, or fibrous tissue in the breast. Cancer cells can attack surrounding healthy tissue and even reach the lymph nodes under the arms, through which they can access other body parts. Breast cancer is of two varieties: invasive and non-invasive breast cancer. Invasive breast cancer has invaded other areas of the breast, while non-invasive breast cancer is confined to the original tissue.

What Causes Breast Cancer?

A change in the DNA of certain breast cells can cause them to multiply without dying. This quick growth leads to the formation of a cluster of cells known as a tumor. While the specific causes of breast cancer are still unknown, there are a few risk factors that can increase its likelihood. These include:

Old age
Genetics
Family history
Having dense breast tissue
Taking hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms
Excessive alcohol consumption

What are the Breast Cancer Stages?

Depending on the tumour size and the extent of spread, breast cancer is divided into stages. Additionally, these stages also consider the type of breast cancer (invasive or non-invasive) and whether the cancer has affected the lymph nodes.

1. Stage 0 Breast Cancer: In stage 0, the cancer is contained to the ducts and has not spread to nearby tissue.

2. Stage 1 Breast Cancer

This is further divided as:

● Stage 1A: The tumour is up to two cm wide, and the cancer has not affected the lymph nodes.

● Stage 1B: Cancer is detected in nearby lymph nodes. Either there is no tumour in the breast or less than two cm wide.

3. Stage 2 Breast Cancer

This is further divided as:

● Stage 2A: Either the tumour is less than 2 cm wide and has spread to up to three nearby lymph nodes, or it is between two to five cm wide and has not spread to lymph nodes.

● Stage 2B: The tumour is between two and five cm wide and has spread to up to three armpit lymph nodes, or it is more than five cm wide and has not spread to lymph nodes.

4. Stage 3 Breast Cancer

● Stage 3A: The classification Stage 3A has multiple conditions:

A. Tumours can be any size, and cancer has spread to four to nine armpit lymph nodes or has enlarged the internal breast lymph nodes.
B. The tumour is more than five cm wide, and cancer has spread up to three armpit lymph nodes or nodes in the breastbone.

● Stage 3B: The tumour has spread to the chest wall or skin and may or may not have affected up to nine lymph nodes.

● Stage 3C: Cancer has spread to ten or more armpit lymph nodes, nodes near the collarbone, or internal breast lymph nodes.

5. Stage 4 Breast Cancer

This is also known as metastatic breast cancer. In this stage, the cancer has spread to both near and distant lymph nodes as well as other organs in the body.

What are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?

Typical stage 4 breast cancer symptoms include:

● Breast pain
● Unknown or bloody nipple discharge
● A breast lump that seems different from other breast tissue
● Lump or swelling under the arm
● Inverted nipple
● Swelling in all or part of the breast
● Change in shape and size of breast

How is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?

Breast cancer diagnosis typically includes evaluation of symptoms, physical breast exam, and further tests. These tests include:

● Mammogram: X-ray of the breast tissue to determine the presence of the tumour.
● Breast Ultrasound: Use of sound waves to determine whether the tumour is solid or fluid-filled.
● Breast MRI: Use of magnetic field to create a detailed picture of the breast.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Due to increasing awareness and medical advances, the prognosis of breast cancer has gotten better, and the survival rate is increasing. But remember that breast cancer treatment depends on the stage of cancer. Upon noticing signs and symptoms of breast cancer given here, one should consult a doctor without delay and get tested at Dr Lal PathLabs.