Breast Cancer Stages

Most cancers have four stages, but breast cancer actually has five – stage zero through stage four -- and they’re represented with Roman numerals.

Typically, your doctor will tell you what stage your cancer is after a physical exam and the initial report from a mammogram or other diagnostic test, like an ultrasound. (there’s a chance the stage may be adjusted after a breast biopsy – which is when a sample of breast tissues is removed – or after you have surgery, if needed.)

A term you might hear when discussing a diagnosis and stages is T-N-M:

• The “T” stands for tumor size
• The “N” refers to the number of nearby lymph nodes with cancer
• The “M” notes whether the cancer has metastasized, or spread beyond the breast
• Receptor status (ER, PR and Her2Neu), Grade and Oncotyping are also used to determine staging.

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s likely an overwhelming feeling between the medical terms and doctor appointments.

Treatment Options

Local Treatments

Some treatments are local, meaning treatment will be directed at the tumor and will not affect the rest of the body.

Most breast cancer will require some type of surgery to remove the tumor. Depending on the type of breast cancer and how advanced the it is, you might also need additional treatments like radiation either before or after surgery, or sometimes both.

Systematic Treatments

Drugs used to treat breast cancer are considered systemic therapies because they can reach cancer cells almost anywhere in the body. They can be given by mouth or put directly into the bloodstream. Depending on the type of breast cancer, different types of drug treatment might be used, including:

• Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
• Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
• Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer
• Targeted Drug Therapy for Breast Cancer

Contact our Cancer Navigator

Call (225) 237-1600 or complete the form below to speak with our cancer navigator today. Help with cancer is just a click away. Send us a message and we'll reply within 24 hours.