Recognize the Different Stages of Breast Cancer

Recognize the Different Stages of Breast Cancer

"What stage is the cancer?"

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it will usually be accompanied by the stage. Not just numbers, each level of this stadium has its own meaning. Let's understand and know...

Breast cancer is a type of malignant tumor that develops in breast cells. This cancer can grow if there is an abnormal growth of cells in the breast. These cells divide faster than normal cells and accumulate, which then form lumps or masses. In more severe stages, these abnormal cells can spread through the lymph nodes to other organs of the body.

The term stage in cancer is a level of grouping based on the development of cancer. The more advanced the severity of the cancer, the higher the stage.

Determination of this staging can vary, depending on which part of the body is experiencing malignancy, staging is also used in disease diagnosis to determine treatment strategies and predict patient life.

Components to assess the stage of cancer:

1. The size of the bump

2. Causes to the surrounding lymph nodes

3. The spread of cancer cells in other organs that are located far from the breast or called metastasis.

Stages of Breast Cancer:

• Stadium 0

While the cancer is still in the breast ducts (mammary glands), it has not spread to the lymph nodes or the surrounding healthy tissue. At this stage the patient has a good life expectancy with a high cure rate

• Stage 1

The tumor is still small, has not spread to the lymph nodes or has metastasized. Including early or early stage

• Stages 2 and 3

Cancer is moderate to large, with or without spread to lymph nodes or surrounding areas but has not metastasized. Also known as advanced local stage

• Stage 4

Cancer of any size, with or without spread to the lymph nodes or surrounding areas, and has metastasized. This stage is also known as the final stage.

To determine the stage in a patient requires a complete series of examinations. The doctor will collect various data needed for staging the patient.

Breast Cancer Treatment

Treatment for this disease depends on the type of cancer experienced, the stage of cancer, the size of the mass, and the sensitivity of the cancer cells to hormones. The doctor will determine the most appropriate therapy for the patient's condition based on these things. There are several treatment options for breast cancer, including:

• Surgery, which includes removal of the cancer or lump (lumpectomy), removal of the entire

breast (mastectomy), removal of a limited number of lymph nodes (sentinel node biopsy), or removal of some lymph nodes (axillary lymph node dissection).

• Radiotherapy, which uses X-rays   and protons to kill cancer cells.

• Chemotherapy, which is done by using certain drugs to kill cancer cells.

• Hormonal therapy, to block cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow.

• Biological therapy, works with the patient's immune system to help fight cancer cells, or to control the side effects of other cancer treatments.

• Radiation therapy, using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.

Generally, patients will undergo a surgical procedure for breast cancer and receive other treatments before and/or after surgery, such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or radiation therapy.