Stage 1
In this first stage of breast cancer, malignant growths are no more than 2 cm in diameter. The cancer is contained to that growth, and has not spread elsewhere in the body.
Stage 2
In Stage 2A, the first group of Stage 2, cancer may or may not be found in the lymph nodes under the arm but has not spread anywhere else in the body. Stage 2B involves tumors under 5 cm with cancer found in the lymph nodes under the arm or larger tumors with no cancer cells in the lymph nodes.
Stage 3
The first group of Stage 3 may be characterized by: no tumor in the breast but cancer cells may be found in the lymph nodes, which are fused together; tumor 5 cm in diameter or less, with cancerous cells in the lymph nodes that have not spread; or a tumor greater than 5 cm, with cancer cells in the lymph nodes that have not spread.
In Stage 3B, the malignant tumor can be attached to other structures within the body. There may or may not be cancerous involvement of the lymph nodes. Cancer has not metastasized anywhere else.
Stage 3C means that the tumor can be any size and the cancer cells have spread to any number of other lymph nodes, but have not spread anywhere else in the body.
Stage 4
In this final stage of breast cancer, the malignant tumor can be of various sizes. The lymph nodes may or may not be involved, and the cancer has spread to other areas in the body.
Tags: lymph nodes, cancer cells, have spread, anywhere else, body Stage, cells lymph
