Breast Cancer Stages: 0 to 4

One of the first questions that comes to women's minds when diagnosed with breast cancer is:
"What stage am I in?" Because breast cancer stages directly impact the treatment plan and chances of success. In this article, we'll examine the stages of breast cancer in detail, from 0 to 4.

How Are Breast Cancer Stages Determined?

Staging is based on the tumor's size, whether it has spread to the lymph nodes, and whether it has metastasized to other parts of the body. This is known as the TNM classification :

• T (Tumor): Size of the tumor

• N (Lymph node): Spread to lymph nodes

• M (Metastasis): Spread to distant organs

Stage 0 – Carcinoma in Situ

✔️ The tumor is found only in the milk ducts or lobules
✔️ It has not spread to the surrounding tissue
✔️ The rate of complete recovery with treatment is very high

Stage 1 – Early Stage

✔️ The tumor is smaller than 2 cm
✔️ It has not spread to the lymph nodes or there is limited spread
✔️ Treatment success with surgery and radiotherapy is quite high.

Stage 2 – Middle Stage

✔️ The tumor is between 2–5 cm
✔️ Spread to the armpit lymph nodes may occur
✔️ Treatment is usually done with a combination of surgery + chemotherapy + radiotherapy

Stage 3 – Advanced Local Stage

✔️ The tumor may be larger than 5 cm
✔️ There is widespread involvement of the lymph nodes
✔️ Orange peel skin or nipple retraction may occur
✔️ Chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and targeted drugs are used in treatment.

Stage 4 – Metastatic Stage

✔️ Cancer has spread to distant organs such as the lungs, liver, bones or brain
✔️ The aim of treatment is to prolong life and improve the quality of life.
✔️ Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy can be applied

Early Diagnosis Saves Lives

✔️ Treatment success rate in Stage 0 and Stage 1 is over 90%
✔️ In cases detected late, treatment will be longer and more difficult.
✔️ Regular mammography and manual examination are very important

Post-Treatment Aesthetic Complementary Solutions

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