WebMD: Better Information. Better Health.
  • Bookmark This Page
  • Site Map
  • Sign up for WebMD Newsletters

Breast Cancer Health Center

Select a topic to explore more.
Select An Article
Font Size
A
A
A

What Are the Stages of Breast Cancer?

  • Early stage or stage 0 breast cancer is when the disease is localized to the breast with no evidence of spread to the lymph nodes (carcinoma in situ).
  • Stage 1 breast cancer: The cancer is two centimeters or less in size and it hasn't spread anywhere.
  • Stage 2A breast cancer is a tumor smaller than two centimeters across with lymph node involvement or a tumor that is larger than two but less than five centimeters across without underarm lymph node involvement.
  • Stage 2B is a tumor that is greater than five centimeters across without underarm lymph nodes testing positive for cancer or a tumor that is larger than two but less than five centimeters across with lymph node involvement.
  • Advanced breast cancer (metastatic) results after cancer cells spread to the lymph nodes and to other parts of the body.
  • Stage 3A breast cancer is also called locally advanced breast cancer. The tumor is larger than five centimeters and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm, or a tumor that is any size with cancerous lymph nodes that adhere to one another or surrounding tissue.
  • Stage 3B breast cancer is a tumor of any size that has spread to the skin, chest wall or internal mammary lymph nodes (located beneath the breast and inside the chest).
  • Stage 3C breast cancer is a tumor of any size that has spread more extensively and involves more lymph node invasion.
  • Stage 4 breast cancer is defined as a tumor, regardless of size, that has spread to places far away from the breast, such as bones, lungs, liver, brain or distant lymph nodes.

WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic

Edited by Paul O'Neill, MD on September 01, 2006
Next Article:
webMD Video

click to expand/contract  Choosing Mastectomy

thinking woman

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a new study reveals why a high number of women with the disease still prefer to have the entire breast surgically removed instead of just the tumor. It's not always because doctors recommend it.

Watch Video

click to expand/contract  Breast Cancer Side Effects

click to expand/contract  Healing Through Movement

click to expand/contract  Reducing Breast Tumor Removal Scars

click to expand/contract  3D Mammogram

Most Popular Stories