By Dr. Kathleen Ruddy
Few things are more terrifying than a diagnosis of malignant breast cancer. Though breast cancer awareness and education is increasing at an amazing rate, there is still much mystery and fear surrounding this devastating disease. One reason for this is a lack of knowledge when it comes to the stages of breast cancer. After a diagnosis of breast cancer, or any type of cancer, the patient is given a pathology report, which includes information about the stage of the cancer.
Few things are more terrifying than a diagnosis of malignant breast cancer. Though breast cancer awareness and education is increasing at an amazing rate, there is still much mystery and fear surrounding this devastating disease. One reason for this is a lack of knowledge when it comes to the stages of breast cancer. After a diagnosis of breast cancer, or any type of cancer, the patient is given a pathology report, which includes information about the stage of the cancer.
Staging is the term used for the method by which a pathologist determines and describes whether a cancerous breast tumor is limited to one area of the breast or has spread to surrounding healthy tissue, or even to other parts of the body. Cancer stages are based on the size of the tumor, whether the cancer is classified as invasive or noninvasive, whether it has spread to the lymph nodes, and whether it has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. Cancer stages allow patients and doctors a common language to use when discussing breast cancer and treatment plans, and they can help both patients and doctors better understand a prognosis and make decisions without some of the overriding fears that typically come into play.
Stage 0: Carcinoma in Situ
Noninvasive breast cancers are classified as Stage 0 breast cancer. In stage 0, cancer cells (or non-cancerous abnormal cells) have not invaded neighboring normal tissue or broken out of the part of the breast in which they are located. There are three types of stage 0 breast cancer, also referred to as carcinoma in situ. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a noninvasive condition.
Noninvasive breast cancers are classified as Stage 0 breast cancer. In stage 0, cancer cells (or non-cancerous abnormal cells) have not invaded neighboring normal tissue or broken out of the part of the breast in which they are located. There are three types of stage 0 breast cancer, also referred to as carcinoma in situ. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a noninvasive condition.
DCIS is characterized by the presence of abnormal cells found in the lining of a breast duct, and in some instances can develop into invasive cancer. Abnormal cells found in the lobules of the breast is a condition known as lobular carcinoma in situ, or LCIS. Although LCIS rarely develops into invasive cancer, a diagnosis of LCIS in either breast increases the chances of developing breast cancer. The third type of carcinoma is condition in which abnormal cells are found only in the nipple, known as Paget Disease.
Stage I
Stage I is used to describe invasive breast cancer, in which cells are invading the normal tissue surrounding the breast. Stage I breast cancer is subdivided into stage IA and stage IB. If the cancer has not spread beyond the breast, does not include any lymph nodes, and is 2 centimeters in size or smaller, it is classified as stage IA. In stage IB, the tumor measures up to 2 centimeters and small groups of cancer cells, between 0.2 millimeters and 2 millimeters, are found in the lymph nodes. Stage IB can also be diagnosed when there is no evidence of a tumor in the breast, but small clusters of cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes.
Stage I is used to describe invasive breast cancer, in which cells are invading the normal tissue surrounding the breast. Stage I breast cancer is subdivided into stage IA and stage IB. If the cancer has not spread beyond the breast, does not include any lymph nodes, and is 2 centimeters in size or smaller, it is classified as stage IA. In stage IB, the tumor measures up to 2 centimeters and small groups of cancer cells, between 0.2 millimeters and 2 millimeters, are found in the lymph nodes. Stage IB can also be diagnosed when there is no evidence of a tumor in the breast, but small clusters of cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cancer spreads in the body in three different ways. Cancer can spread through tissue when a tumor invades the healthy tissue that surrounds it. It can travel through the lymph nodes and vessels via the lymphatic system to other places in the body. It can also travel through blood to other parts of the body if it invades the veins and capillaries.
Cancer spreads in the body in three different ways. Cancer can spread through tissue when a tumor invades the healthy tissue that surrounds it. It can travel through the lymph nodes and vessels via the lymphatic system to other places in the body. It can also travel through blood to other parts of the body if it invades the veins and capillaries.
Stage II
Stage II breast cancer is divided into the subcategories IIA and IIB. Stage IIA includes three possible situations. The first is a diagnosis in which there is no tumor found in the breast, but cancer cells larger than 2 millimeters are present in one to three axillary lymph nodes (the lymph nodes under the arm). The second situation involves the presence of a tumor 2 centimeters or smaller along with cancerous cells in the axillary lymph nodes.
Stage II breast cancer is divided into the subcategories IIA and IIB. Stage IIA includes three possible situations. The first is a diagnosis in which there is no tumor found in the breast, but cancer cells larger than 2 millimeters are present in one to three axillary lymph nodes (the lymph nodes under the arm). The second situation involves the presence of a tumor 2 centimeters or smaller along with cancerous cells in the axillary lymph nodes.
The last diagnosis for stage IIA breast cancer is defined by the presence of a tumor in the breast larger than 5 centimeters without any signs of cancerous cells in the axillary lymph nodes. Stage IIB breast cancer is characterised by diagnosis of a tumor between 2 and 5 centimeters with cancerous cells present in the lymph nodes or by a tumor larger than 5 centimeters that has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
Stage III
Stage III breast cancer includes three subcategories, IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC. In stage IIIA, either no cancer is found in the breast or the tumor is any size, and it has spread to 4 to 9 axillary lymph nodes or the lymph nodes near the breastbone. Invasive breast cancer that involves a tumor of any size and the presence of cancerous cells in the skin of the breast and/or the chest wall and may include axillary or breastbone lymph nodes is classified as stage IIIB breast cancer.
Stage III breast cancer includes three subcategories, IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC. In stage IIIA, either no cancer is found in the breast or the tumor is any size, and it has spread to 4 to 9 axillary lymph nodes or the lymph nodes near the breastbone. Invasive breast cancer that involves a tumor of any size and the presence of cancerous cells in the skin of the breast and/or the chest wall and may include axillary or breastbone lymph nodes is classified as stage IIIB breast cancer.
Inflammatory breast cancer is considered to be at least stage IIIB. Features of inflammatory breast cancer typically include reddening of the breast with warmth and swelling along with cancerous cells in the lymph nodes. Stage IIIC breast cancer is diagnosed when, in the presence or absence of a tumor of any size in the breast, there is cancer in the lymph nodes above or below the collarbone, in 10 or more axillary lymph nodes, and/or in the lymph nodes near the breastbone. Stage IIIC breast cancer is often classified as operable or inoperable.
Stage IV
Once breast cancer spreads beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes, it becomes stage IV breast cancer. In stage IV, the cancer has spread to one or more other body parts, such as the lungs, skin, bones, liver, or brain. Stage IV breast cancer may include distant lymph nodes as well. Stage IV is sometimes referred to as “advanced” or “metastatic” breast cancer. Metastasis refers to the process in which cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel via the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body. Often stage IV breast cancer is a recurrence of a previous breast cancer. Sometimes it is given as a first diagnosis.
Once breast cancer spreads beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes, it becomes stage IV breast cancer. In stage IV, the cancer has spread to one or more other body parts, such as the lungs, skin, bones, liver, or brain. Stage IV breast cancer may include distant lymph nodes as well. Stage IV is sometimes referred to as “advanced” or “metastatic” breast cancer. Metastasis refers to the process in which cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel via the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body. Often stage IV breast cancer is a recurrence of a previous breast cancer. Sometimes it is given as a first diagnosis.
TNM
Another staging system used by researchers is the TNM system, which stands for tumor, node, metastasis. The T is used to describe the size of the tumor, and the classifications include: TX, which means it can not be found; T0, which means there is no evidence of a tumor; and Tis, for tumor in situ. The categories T1 through T4 are assigned based on the size of the tumor, with T4 being the largest. The letter N measures the lymph node involvement in much the same way, with the subcategories NX, NO, N1, N2, and N3. Metastasis is assigned either MX, MO, or M1, with M1 indicating the presence of distant metastasis.
Another staging system used by researchers is the TNM system, which stands for tumor, node, metastasis. The T is used to describe the size of the tumor, and the classifications include: TX, which means it can not be found; T0, which means there is no evidence of a tumor; and Tis, for tumor in situ. The categories T1 through T4 are assigned based on the size of the tumor, with T4 being the largest. The letter N measures the lymph node involvement in much the same way, with the subcategories NX, NO, N1, N2, and N3. Metastasis is assigned either MX, MO, or M1, with M1 indicating the presence of distant metastasis.
Breast cancer, when detected early, is highly treatable. Often, a fear of the unknown prevents people from seeking medical attention and advice if an issue is suspected. Knowing and understanding the stages of breast cancer diagnosis alleviates many of the early fears that come with a diagnosis. Patients with a strong knowledge of the different stages of breast cancer are better equipped to discuss treatments with their doctors.
If you’d like to receive more information about breast cancer and what the Breast Health and Healing Foundation is doing to battle the disease, please sign up for our newsletter. You can sign up here: http://breasthealthandhealing.org/im-in/.
No comments:
Post a Comment