progressed to the lymph nodes.
Stage 3 Breast Cancer
Stage IIIA: A tumor of any size has progressed to four to nine axillary lymph nodes or internal mammary lymph nodes but not elsewhere (T0, T1, T2, or T3; N2; M0). This stage may also contain a tumor greater than 50 mm that has migrated to one to three axillary lymph nodes (T3, N1, M0).
Stage IIIB: The tumor infiltrated the chest wall or produced breast ulceration or edema. Nine axillary or internal mammary lymph nodes may have malignancy. It hasn’t spread (T4; N0, N1 or N2; M0). Inflammatory breast cancer may have been detected.
Stage IIIC: Any size tumor infiltrating 10 or more axillary, internal mammary, or collarbone lymph nodes. No other bodily parts are affected (any T, N3, M0).
The 5-year survival rate for women with stage 3 breast cancer is 86%.
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Stage 4 Breast Cancer
This stage encompasses any size tumor. Cancer has progressed to the bones, brain, liver, lungs, distant lymph nodes, or chest wall (any T, any N, M1). De novo metastatic breast cancer occurs in six percent of cases. Metastatic breast cancer is usually diagnosed after early-stage breast cancer therapy.
The five-year survival rate for stage 4 breast cancer is 30%.
Understanding breast cancer’s five phases and which one you have can help you make the best treatment options and reduce stress.