Treatment of Breast Cancer at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

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Breast Cancer Staging

Breast cancer is classified by different stages which progress its development.  Its stages are based on whether or not lymph nodes are involves, whether the particular type of breast cancer is non-invasive or invasive, the size of the tumor and whether or not the cancer has spread beyond its point of origin (the breast and its associated tissues). This system of classification allows doctors to better understand the prognosis and choose an appropriate treatment.

Zero Stage: Zero, or early stage of breast cancer is localized within the breast. It is typically used to describe LCIS (lobular neoplasia) and DCIS (ductal carcinoma) types of non-invasive breast cancers.

Stage I: Stage I breast cancer is the initial stage of invasive breast cancer. In this stage, cancerous cells spread beyond their site of origin to affect surrounding breast tissue. Breast cancer at this stage is still localized within the breast. Stage I breast cancer is typically no larger than three-fourths of an inch in diameter.

Stage II: Stage II breast cancer includes: cancer that spreads beyond the breast tissue to the underarm lymph nodes; and breast cancer that is larger than 2 inches in diameter but localized to the breast tissue.

Stage III: Stage III is advanced breast cancer that is subdivided into stage III A, stage III B and stage III C.

Stage III A: Stage III A defines a tumor that has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm, to lymph nodes that are attached to other structures, or to the lymph nodes on the backside of the breast bone. The tumor less than or larger than 2 inches in diameter at this stage.

Stage III B: Stage III B breast cancer is a tumor within the skin of the breast or one that grows in the chest wall. It manifests itself in the form of lumps or swelling in the breast. Stage III B breast cancer can spread to underarm lymph nodes, lymph nodes that lie on the backside of the breastbone and lymph nodes that are attached to other structures.

Stage III B breast cancer is also defined as inflammatory breast cancer—a rare type of cancer that makes the breast appear swollen and red due to a blockage of lymph nodes by cancerous cells.

Stage III C: Stage III C breast cancer is of any size that spreads beyond the lymph nodes under the arms.

Stage IV: Stage IV breast cancer is metastatic cancer that spreads and affects other organs of the body, including the bones, liver and kidneys.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, they offer integrative, whole person care. Contact one of their representatives all day, every day by phone or online chat. Cancer Treatment Centers of America has Hospitals in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Zion Illinois, Tulsa Oklahoma, and Goodyear Arizona. For more information on their integrative treatment options for Breast Cancer, call today.

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