Stage 0: Non-Invasive Breast Cancer

Stage 0 is non-invasive breast cancer; it's also known as ductal carcinoma in situ, and it occurs when cancer cells are present only in the milk duct. These cancer cells don't always spread, but if they're left untreated, they can increase the risk of future breast cancers. Stage 0 is the most treatable form of cancer - a lumpectomy, radiation and/or the anti-cancer drug Tamoxifen are most common treatment methods. About 100 percent of women with stage 0 cancer survive for five years or more.

Stage I

This stage is invasive breast cancer, where a tumor up to two centimeters in diameter is found in the breast tissue. At stage I, cancer hasn?t spread to nearby lymph nodes or other areas (like the underarm). Treatment often involves radiation, lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy and/or anti-cancer drugs. 100 percent of women with stage I cancer will survive for five years or longer.

Stage II A

With stage II, there's no tumor located in the breast tissue, but cancer is found in one to three nearby lymph nodes; or, a tumor of two centimeters or smaller is found in the breast and cancer is also present in one to three lymph nodes; or, the lymph nodes are cancer-free but the breast contains a tumor between two and five centimeters in diameter. Treatment options are the same as stage I. The five-year survival rate is 93 percent.

Stage II B

In stage II B, the tumor is between two and five centimeters in diameter and cancer is also present in the lymph nodes; or, the tumor is larger than five centimeters. While treatment options differ from person to person, lumpectomy or mastectomy as well as aggressive chemotherapy are typically recommended. The five-year survival rate is 83 percent.

Stage III A

Stage III A is classified by a tumor smaller than five centimeters in diameter and cancer present in four to nine lymph nodes; or, a tumor larger than five centimeters and cancer present to one to nine lymph nodes. Treatment options remain the same as stage II, although patients at stage III or IV may want to inquire about clinical trials (talk to your doctor to find out more). The five-year survival rate is 69 percent.

Stage III B

This stage describes invasive breast cancer in which a tumor of any size has spread to the chest wall, breast skin or internal mammary lymph nodes, which are located beneath the breast, just under the ribs. Stage III B also includes inflammatory breast cancer, a very rare but serious and aggressive type of cancer marked by inflammation of the breast skin (it often looks like orange peel and appears red and inflamed). Lumpectomy is not usually an option with stage III B; instead, chemotherapy, mastectomy, radiation and/or hormone therapy are typically recommended. The five-year survival rate is 50 percent.

Stage III C

A new classification, stage III C is marked by a tumor of any size and cancer that's spread to 10 or more auxiliary lymph nodes, one or more lymph nodes under the clavicle or above the clavicle, or to internal mammary lymph nodes on the same side as the breast cancer. The cancer hasn't spread to distant sites, however. Treatment options are the same as stage III B. Because stage III C is so new, researchers have not yet determined the five-year survival rate.

Stage IV

Stage IV is invasive breast cancer in which a tumor has spread beyond the breast, underarm area and internal mammary lymph nodes and is now present in the lymph nodes at the base of the neck or above the collarbone and/or the brain, lungs, liver or bones. Chemotherapy is usually the first line of treatment, followed by radiation therapy and lumpectomy or mastectomy. The five-year survival rate is 22 percent.