What are the stages of breast cancer? How are these stages diagnosed? And what is the most dangerous stage? Here are the answers to these questions in detail in the following paragraphs, in addition to some important information and statistics related to these stages, so be sure to follow up.

stages of breast cancer

Breast cancer is divided into stages according to the size of the tumor and the extent of its spread.

• Has the cancer spread or not?
• The size of the tumor or the cancerous mass.
• Did the cancer reach the lymph nodes or not?
• Has the cancer spread to nearby tissues and organs?

The stages of breast cancer include:

1- Breast cancer stage I

This stage is divided into the following:

• Stage 1A: The tumor is 2 cm or less wide, and the lymph nodes are not affected.
• Stage 1B: Cancer is found in nearby lymph nodes, there is no breast mass, or a mass smaller than 2 cm is found.

2- Breast cancer stage II

This stage is divided into the following:

• Stage 2A: During this stage, the tumor is less than 2 cm across and has spread to one or 3 nearby lymph nodes, or is 2 to 5 cm in size and has not spread to any lymph nodes.
• Stage 2B: the tumor is 2 to 5 cm across and has spread to one or 3 lymph nodes in the armpit, or it is larger than 5 cm and has not spread to any lymph nodes.

The cure rate for breast cancer in the second stage

Stage 2 breast cancer is considered an early stage, as the cancer has not spread widely outside the breast and lymph nodes. According to some available data, the average survival rate for 5 years after being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer is 93%. People who are diagnosed early have a higher survival rate. They have, compared to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

3- Breast cancer stage III

This stage is divided into the following:

• Stage 3A: During this stage, the cancer has spread to 4 or 9 lymph nodes in the armpits, or has caused enlarged lymph nodes in the breast. The primary tumor can be any size (usually larger than 5 cm).
• Stage 3B: During this stage, the tumor has spread to the chest wall or skin, and it may have spread to the lymph nodes.
• Stage 3C: Cancer is found in 10 or more axillary lymph nodes, and it is also found in lymph nodes near the collarbone and in lymph nodes in the breast.

The cure rate for stage III breast cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, the average 5-year survival after being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer is 86%. This means that out of 100 people diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, 85 would survive for at least 5 years.

4- Breast cancer stage four

This stage is considered the most advanced stage of breast cancer, and it means that the tumor has bypassed the breast and spread to other organs of the body, such as the bones, lung, and liver. At this stage, the tumor can be of any size, and in some cases it may have spread to the lymph nodes, and in other cases it has not.

It is worth noting that the spread of the tumor from the breast to other organs does not change the type of cancer. If the cancer cells spread to the lung from the breast, the cancer is classified as breast cancer and not lung cancer, and tests determine its progress.

The main symptoms of stage 4 breast cancer include:

• A lump or lump in the breast.
• Changes in the skin of the breast.
• Nipple changes.
• The appearance of redness and swelling in the breast or breast skin.
• Tiredness and fatigue.
• Having a dry cough.
• Feeling chest pain.
• Anorexia.
• Nausea.
• vision disturbances
• Difficulty with balance.

How long does a stage four breast cancer patient live?

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the average 5-year survival rate after diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer is 28%. This percentage is very low, compared to the survival rate associated with other stages of breast cancer, which may reach 90% in some stages.

Stages of breast cancer pictures

The most dangerous stage of breast cancer

The fourth stage of breast cancer is considered the most dangerous stage of breast cancer. At this stage, the cancer has spread outside the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other organs of the body such as the lungs, distant lymph nodes, skin, bones, liver, and others. This stage is usually described as metastatic, or metastatic, breast cancer.

Breast cancer staging tests

Tests and tests used to staging breast cancer include:

• Physical examination: to find out what information is needed for diagnosis and choosing the appropriate treatment.
• Medical reports: These are prepared in case of undergoing surgeries to remove cancer and affected lymph nodes.
• Tests to evaluate cancer cells: This includes a biopsy or surgical procedures to take a sample to test and see how advanced the cancer is.
• Blood tests: They are not used to determine the exact stage of cancer, but are used to give the doctor a comprehensive idea of ​​general health and clues that may help him determine the stage.
• Breast imaging tests: These include mammograms, breast MRIs, and others.
• Other imaging tests, such as bone scans, CT scans, and PET scans.

A breast cancer patient does not need all of the aforementioned examinations, as the doctor chooses the necessary tests according to the patient’s condition.