How do you know what stage of breast cancer you have?
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Doctors have many ways to find out what stage of breast cancer you have. Clues come from physical exams, biopsies, X-rays, bone scans and other images, and blood tests. A doctor called a pathologist puts tissue samples from the breast and lymph nodes under the microscope to find out even more.
What does T2 N1 mean?
The TNM staging system So for example a small cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes but not to anywhere else in the body may be T2 N1 M0. Or a more advanced cancer that has spread may be T4 N3 M1.
What are the 3 stages of breast cancer?
Stages I to III. Stage II: These breast cancers are larger than stage I cancers and/or have spread to a few nearby lymph nodes. Stage III: These tumors are larger or are growing into nearby tissues (the skin over the breast or the muscle underneath), or they have spread to many nearby lymph nodes.
What is the earliest stage of breast cancer?
The earliest stage breast cancers are stage 0 (carcinoma in situ). It then ranges from stage I (1) through IV (4). As a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, such as stage IV, means cancer has spread more.
How is breast cancer staged and what is the prognosis?
In general, the earlier the stage, the better the prognosis will be. Pathologic staging is the standard way to stage breast cancer. It’s based on a pathologist’s study of the tumor tissue and any lymph nodes removed during surgery. Sometimes, results from a health care provider’s physical exam and/or tests such as mammography may help with staging.
How is breast cancer staged in a hospital?
Breast cancer staging Pathologic staging is based on a pathologist’s study of the tumor tissue and any lymph nodes removed during surgery. It’s the standard way to stage breast cancer. Sometimes, results from a health care provider’s physical exam and/or tests such as mammography may help with staging.