Information on Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in women. It occurs when, for unknown reasons, cells become abnormal and divide without control or order. Breast cancer is a complex disease, and all cases are not the same.
 
Once the disease has been found and the diagnosis confirmed, more tests will be done to find out information on the specific pattern. This important step is called staging, and knowing the exact stage will help your healthcare provider plan your treatment.
 
Specific breast cancer stages include:
 
  • Stage 0 (including lobular carcinoma in situ and ductal carcinoma in situ)
  • Stage I
  • Stage II (including IIA and IIB)
  • Stage III (including IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC)
  • Stage IV
  • Recurrent.
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(Click Breast Cancer for more information on this topic, including how it is diagnosed, the available treatment options, the different types of breast cancer, and more.)
 
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD