Stages of Breast Cancer

Stages of Breast Cancer Breast cancer is staged according to its development in the body. After the healthcare team reviews the tumor’s details, such as size, characteristics, and whether it has spread to other areas of the body, they are able to determine the nature of the illness, as well as the available treatment options. Staging provides information on risk of recurrence and the best course of action in treating the cancer.
There are two methods used in staging breast cancer, the Stage 0 to IV method, and the TNM method (Tumor Node Metastasis). In the Stage 0 to IV method, breast cancer is divided into groups depending on the size of the tumor, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. The more serious the cancer, the higher the stage number will be.
When using the TNM method, each of the letters is followed by a number describing the size of the tumor, and the extent to which other parts of the body are affected. These numbers can range from 1-4 depending on the severity of the cancer, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.