Stage 3 Breast Cancer
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Stage 3 breast cancer is a more advanced form of invasive breast cancer. At this stage, the cancer cells have usually not spread to more distant sites in the body, but they are present in several axillary (underarm) lymph nodes. The tumor may also be quite large at this stage, possibly extending to the chest wall or the skin of the breast.
The eight-year survival rate for stage 3 breast cancer is approximately 40%, and the five-year survival rate ranges from 40% to almost 70%, which means that many women will live for several years after their diagnosis. In fact, many women live for much longer, and several effective stage 3 breast cancer treatment options are available.
Types of Stage 3 Breast Cancer
Stage 3 is divided into three categories:
In Stage 3A, one of the following is true:
- No tumor is found in the breast, but cancer is present in axillary lymph nodes that are attached to either other or other structures, or cancer may be found in the lymph nodes near the breast bone, or
- The tumor is 2 cm or smaller. Cancer has spread to axillary lymph nodes that are attached to each other or other structures, or cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone, or
- The tumor is 2–4 cm in size. Cancer has spread to axillary lymph nodes that are attached to each other or to other structures, or cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breast bone, or
- The tumor is larger than 5 cm. Cancer has spread to axillary lymph nodes that may be attached to each other or to other structures, or cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone.
In Stage 3B breast cancer, the tumor may be any size, and cancer:
- has spread to the chest wall and/or skin of the breast, and
- may have spread to axillary lymph nodes that may be attached to each other or to other structures, or cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone.
Cancer that has spread to the skin of the breast is inflammatory breast cancer.
In Stage 3C:
- There may be no sign of cancer in the breast or the tumor may be any size, and may have spread to the chest wall and/or skin of the breast.
- Cancer cells are present in lymph nodes above or below the collarbone
- Cancer cells may have spread to axillary lymph nodes or lymph nodes near the breastbone.
Cancer that has spread to the skin of the breast is inflammatory breast cancer.
Stage 3C breast cancer may be operable or inoperable:
- In operable Stage 3C: cancer is found in 10 or more axillary lymph nodes, or is in lymph nodes below the collarbone, or is in axillary lymph nodes and lymph nodes near the breastbone
- In inoperable Stage 3C: cancer has spread to the lymph nodes above the collarbone
- The survival rate for stage 3A breast cancer may be slightly higher than for stage 3B, and the survival rate for stage 3B may be slightly higher than for stage 3C. However all women diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer have several promising treatment options.
TNM
At stage 3, TNM designations help describe the extent of the disease. Higher numbers indicate more extensive disease. Most commonly, stage 3 breast cancer is described as:
- T: T1, T2, T3 or T4, depending on the size and/or extent of the primary tumor.
- N1: Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes
- M0: The disease has not spread to other sites in the body
Stage 3 Breast Cancer Treatment Options
Several stage 3 breast cancer treatment options are available, including:
- Surgery: A mastectomy (complete removal of the breast) may be appropriate, or some women may choose a lumpectomy (partial removal of the breast). Removal of the lymph nodes is also common at this stage. Women who undergo a mastectomy may wish to have breast reconstruction surgery, a common and painless procedure.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a common treatment for stage 3 breast cancer. For women undergoing surgery, chemotherapy may be given before to help shrink the tumor, making it easier to remove. Additional medication is given after surgery, to help ensure that any remaining cancer cells are killed. When surgery is not possible, chemotherapy may be used as a primary treatment.
- Hormone Therapy: For women whose cancer cells test positive for estrogen and/or progesterone receptors, hormone therapy can help eliminate cancer cells from the body. These drugs prevent the tumor from getting the hormone it needs to grow. Hormone therapy may be given before surgery to help shrink the tumor, or afterwards to help eliminate any remaining cancer cells. When surgery is not possible, hormone therapy may be used as a primary treatment.
Immunotherapy: When the cancer cells contain excess amounts of the HER2 protein receptors, immunotherapy with an anti-HER2 drug may be recommended in combination with chemotherapy. - Radiation Therapy: For women with stage 3 breast cancer who undergo surgery, radiation is also given to help destroy any remaining cancer cells.
- Clinical trials: Many clinical trials are open to women with stage 3 breast cancer. Enrolling in a clinical trial may give you access to new therapies. Your doctor can provide information about ongoing studies that may be available to you.
- Additional care: Many drugs are available to help ease pain and the side effects of stage 3 breast cancer treatment. Your doctor can discuss treatments for nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and infections.
