II. Stages
- Stage 1
- Tumor <=2 cm with no lymph node metastasis
- Stage 2
- Tumor >2 cm or positive lymph nodes
- Stage 3
- Locally advanced Breast Cancer (Skin or Chest wall)
- Stage 4
- Metastatic Breast Cancer (Lung, Liver, Bones, Brain)
III. Prognosis
- Stage 1:
- Five year survival: 90%
- Stage 2
- Five year survival: <60%
- Seven Year survival
- One to three nodes positive: 60%
- Over 3 nodes positive: 38%
- Reference:
- (1988) NIH Publication No. 88-2789
- Fisher (1983) Cancer 52:1551-7 [PubMed]
IV. Methods
-
Sentinel Node Breast Biopsy
- Recommended even in favorable Breast Cancer subtypes
- Axillary Node dissection
- Conventional staging procedure
- Complications
- Numbness in axillae
- Hand and arm Lymphedema (may be severe)
