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Breast cancer stages
• Ranges for 0 to IV
Breast cancer that has not spread is called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or noninvasive breast cancer. If it spreads, the cancer is called invasive breast cancer. The higher the number, the more advanced the cancer.
Treatment
Treatment is based on many factors, including type and stage of the cancer, whether the cancer is sensitive to certain hormones, and whether or not the cancer overproduces (overexpresses) a gene called HER2/neu.
In general, cancer treatments may include:
• Chemotherapy medicines to kill cancer cells
• Radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tissue
• Surgery to remove cancerous tissue — a lumpectomy removes the breast lump; mastectomy removes all or part of the breast and possible nearby structures
Other treatments:
• Hormonal therapy to block certain hormones that fuel cancer growth
• Targeted therapy to interfere with cancer cell grow and function
Cancer treatment may be local or systemic Local treatments involve only the area of disease. Radiation and surgery are forms of local treatment. Systemic treatments affect the entire body. Chemotherapy is a type of systemic treatment. Most women receive a combination of treatments.
For women with stage I, II, or III breast cancer, the main goal is to treat the cancer and prevent it from returning. For women with stage IV cancer, the goal is to improve symptoms and help them live longer. In most cases, stage IV breast cancer cannot be cured.
Breast cancer stages
• Ranges for 0 to IV
Breast cancer that has not spread is called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or noninvasive breast cancer. If it spreads, the cancer is called invasive breast cancer. The higher the number, the more advanced the cancer.
Treatment
Treatment is based on many factors, including type and stage of the cancer, whether the cancer is sensitive to certain hormones, and whether or not the cancer overproduces (overexpresses) a gene called HER2/neu.
In general, cancer treatments may include:
• Chemotherapy medicines to kill cancer cells
• Radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tissue
• Surgery to remove cancerous tissue — a lumpectomy removes the breast lump; mastectomy removes all or part of the breast and possible nearby structures
Other treatments:
• Hormonal therapy to block certain hormones that fuel cancer growth
• Targeted therapy to interfere with cancer cell grow and function
Cancer treatment may be local or systemic Local treatments involve only the area of disease. Radiation and surgery are forms of local treatment. Systemic treatments affect the entire body. Chemotherapy is a type of systemic treatment. Most women receive a combination of treatments.
For women with stage I, II, or III breast cancer, the main goal is to treat the cancer and prevent it from returning. For women with stage IV cancer, the goal is to improve symptoms and help them live longer. In most cases, stage IV breast cancer cannot be cured.
