Early stage breast cancer caused by the formation of abnormal cells in the breast tissue can be described as breast cancer in stage I, IIA, IIB or IIIA. Women in these stages have a longer survival rate than women with more advanced stages of breast cancer. Women in these stages can also choose treat it surgically--these options are limited when it advances and spreads to the other organs.
Definition
According to womenshealth.gov, early stage breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread to the neighboring lymph nodes but not to other areas of the body.
Signs
According to the Mayo Clinic, early signs of breast cancer include flaking of the nipple skin, an inverted nipple, bloody discharge from the nipple, and redness and pitting on the breast. It also can cause a breast lump or unusual breast thickening, changes in the size or shape of the breast, and dimpling of the breast.
Tests
Two tests, called Ocotype DX and MammaPrint, help estimate the risk for breast cancer recurrence and the effectiveness of certain treatments. This helps physicians recommend the best treatment for early stage breast cancer.
Treatment
Treatment for early stage breast cancer includes breast-sparing surgery, which only removes the cancerous tissue and masectomy. Masectomy removes the entire breast.
Effectiveness
According to the National Cancer Institute, both breast-sparing surgery and masectomy have the same effectiveness for prolonging a woman's life.
Tags: breast cancer, breast cancer, early stage, early stage breast, stage breast, breast-sparing surgery
