Health Views

Breast cancer stages tell us the characteristics of the breast cancer and if it has spread beyond the breast tissue. Doctors can use this information to guide treatment decisions. Learn how the stages of breast cancer is vital in determining next steps of treatment.

Stage I breast cancer means that the cancer is limited to the breast itself. It does not involve lymph nodes in the armpit and has not spread to other areas in the body. It also means the tumor is less than 2 centimeters in size.

In stage II breast cancer, the tumor is larger, 2 to 5 centimeters in size, and/or may have spread to lymph nodes on the same side as the affected breast. Still, for cancers 2 to 5 centimeters in size, without spread to the lymph nodes, 5-year survival is 76 to 88 percent.

In stage III breast cancers, the tumor is still larger, greater 5 centimeters in size and lymph nodes are involved. Still, without evidence of distant metastases, 5-year survival is 49 to 56 percent.

There is stage IV breast cancer or metastatic breast cancer. That's the stage in which cancer has spread beyond the breast and immediately adjacent lymph nodes. The female's 5-year survival can range. It can be around 25 to 40 percent for someone who has metastatic breast cancer.

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