Breast Cancer Stage 3

Stage 3 is classified into subcategories known as 3A, 3B, and 3C.

Stage 3 involves a mastectomy and lymph node removal as a typical of care. A joint approach of both chemotherapy and radiation is usually suggested following surgery. Endocrine and targeted/biologic therapies might be alternatives for treatment as well.

Stage 3A indicates
- Even though no tumour is observed in the breast, the lymph nodes beneath the arm contain cancer cells and are stuck jointly, but there is no sign of cancer extend or

- The tumour is 5 cm or less, the lymph nodes in the armpit include cancer cells and are stuck to each other, but the cancer has not extend elsewhere or
- The tumour is more than 5 cm, the lymph nodes in the armpit include cancer cells and might be stuck jointly, but there is no further extend

Stage 3B indicates
- The tumour is fixed to the skin or chest wall, the lymph nodes might or might not include cancer cells, but there is no further extend

Stage 3C indicates
- The tumour could be any size and has extended to lymph nodes in the armpit and beneath the breast bone, or to nodes above or below the collarbone, but there is no further extend

Stage 3 breast cancer is typified by one of the following:
- A primary cancer that measures less than 5 cm (2 inches) in size and causes axillary (underarm) lymph nodes to be attached to each other or other structures
- A primary cancer that is greater than 5 cm (2 inches) in size and involves axillary lymph nodes
- A primary cancer that is attached to the chest wall or skin

Breast cancer that has extended to the lymph nodes is generally referred to as node-positive disease.

Effective treatment of stage 3 breast cancer needs both local and systemic therapy. Local therapy includes surgery and/or radiation and is directed at obliterating any cancer cells in or near the breast. Systemic therapy is aimed at at obliterating cancer cells all through the body, and might consist of chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or biological therapy. Systemic therapy might be managed prior to surgery, which is named neoadjuvant therapy.