lobules, and stromal tissues, which are fatty and fibrous tissues that line the breast. It has a tendency to spread to other parts of the body. If it is not detected early enough, the condition can be fatal. To understand more about the disease, read the following information.
Generally, breast cancer is staged according to its size, location, and lymph nodes. The stage also refers to the extent of metastatic spread. If the tumor has spread beyond the lymph nodes, it is classified as invasive breast cancer. Stages are important because they give physicians a common way to describe the cancer. The best course of treatment for your particular cancer is based on the stage. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your doctor.
Treatment for breast cancer may include surgery. A lumpectomy can be performed to remove the tumor and a rim of normal breast tissue. Another surgical procedure is a quadrantectomy, which removes a whole segment of the breast. A mastectomy, on the other hand, can also include the removal of some skin or lymph nodes. A sentinel node biopsy can help detect whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. You can also choose between mastectomy and radiation.
Stage III breast cancer is typically less than 5 centimeters in diameter and has spread to lymph nodes near the breast. This tumor has spread to lymph nodes in nearby areas, but has not yet metastasized to other parts of the body. Patients with this stage can also have a tumor of any size. But the cancer may not have spread to the lymph nodes. They should also be evaluated for lymph nodes that may have spread to other parts of the body.
Genetics can also increase your risk for developing breast cancer. People with breast cancer have abnormal genes that they received from their parents. Genetic testing can be done to determine whether there is a connection between these genes and breast cancer. Alcohol use and smoking are also known to increase the risk for certain types of cancer. Other factors, such as obesity, increase the risk of developing breast cancer. These can include your diet, and even your physical activity. They can also cause a breast tumor.
If your cancer has spread to lymph nodes, it is classified as stage N3. This type of cancer has spread to the axillary and supraclavicular lymph nodes. Often, the cancer has spread to multiple lymph nodes, which is called Stage N3. This type of cancer has spread to lymph nodes in four to nine organs. A woman with Stage N3 cancer will have tumor cells in lymph nodes under her clavicle, internal mammary, and supraclavicular nodes.
