T4 (includes T4a, T4b, T4c, and T4d) : Tumor of any size growing into the chest wall or skin. T2: Tumor is more than 2 cm but not more than 5 cm (2 inches) across. T1 (includes T1a, T1b, and T1c) : Tumor is 2 cm (3/4 of an inch) or less across. Tis: Carcinoma in situ (DCIS, or Paget disease of the breast with no associated tumor mass) Higher T numbers mean a larger tumor and/or wider spread to tissues near the breast. T followed by a number from 0 to 4 describes the main (primary) tumor's size and if it has spread to the skin or to the chest wall under the breast. Higher numbers mean the cancer is more advanced. The categories below use the pathologic (surgical) definitions. Numbers or letters after T, N, and M provide more details about each of these factors. Because of this, it is best to ask your doctor about your specific stage and what it means. However, the addition of information about ER, PR, and HER2 status along with grade has made stage grouping for breast cancer more complex than for other cancers. ĭetails about the first three factors (the TNM categories) are below. Once all of these factors have been determined, this information is combined in a process called stage grouping to assign an overall stage. In addition, Oncotype Dx® Recurrence Score results may also be considered in the stage in certain situations. Grade of the cancer (G): How much do the cancer cells look like normal cells?.HER2 status: Does the cancer make too much of a protein called HER2?.Progesterone Receptor (PR) status: Does the cancer have the protein called a progesterone receptor?.Estrogen Receptor (ER) status: Does the cancer have the protein called an estrogen receptor?.The spread (metastasis) to distant sites (M): Has the cancer spread to distant organs such as the lungs or liver?.The spread to nearby lymph nodes (N): Has the cancer spread to nearby lymph nodes? If so, how many?.The extent (size) of the tumor (T): How large is the cancer? Has it grown into nearby areas?.In both staging systems, 7 key pieces of information are used: Sometimes, though, the cancer has spread further than the clinical stage estimates, and may not predict the patient’s outlook as accurately as a pathologic stage. The clinical stage is used to help plan treatment. This is based on the results of a physical exam, biopsy, and imaging tests. Sometimes, if surgery is not possible right away or at all, the cancer will be given a clinical stage instead.The pathologic stage (also called the surgical stage) is determined by examining tissue removed during an operation.The most recent AJCC system, effective January 2018, has both clinical and pathologic staging systems for breast cancer: The staging system most often used for breast cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system. Although each person’s cancer experience is unique, cancers with similar stages tend to have a similar outlook and are often treated in much the same way. And within a stage, an earlier letter means a lower stage. A higher number, such as stage IV, means cancer has spread more. As a rule, the lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. It then ranges from stage I (1) through IV (4). The earliest stage breast cancers are stage 0 (carcinoma in situ). Doctors also use a cancer's stage when talking about survival statistics. It helps determine how serious the cancer is and how best to treat it. The stage of a cancer describes how much cancer is in the body. After someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, doctors will try to figure out if it has spread, and if so, how far.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |