Stage 3 breast cancer is a condition typea Cancer cells in the breast have spread to the lymph nodes around the armpit. This condition is very dangerous and usually a lump that grows in the breast area is more than 5 centimeters (cm).
Basically, breast cancer staging is done to determine how far the cancer has progressed and spread. To treat breast cancer requires a combination of more than one type of treatment. For example, chemotherapy is used to shrink the tumor before a surgical procedure is performed.
Breast Cancer Stage Division
To find out how far the cancer cells have spread, the doctor will perform a series of examinations. There are several options for procedures that doctors can perform, including blood tests, physical examinations, breast scans using mammography, ultrasound, CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans, to get a more detailed picture of the condition of the breasts.
Stage 3 breast cancer is divided into 3A, 3B, and 3C. Stage 3A category indicates that the tumor is larger than 5 cm and has spread to one to three lymph nodes. Then, stage 3B means the spread of cancer cells is getting wider, not only in the lymph nodes around or under the armpit, but also in the skin and chest muscle tissue around the breast.
Stage 3C breast cancer is characterized by a tumor that has spread to 10 or more lymph nodes under the armpit, and has spread to the lymph nodes around the neck or in the breast. When the cancer has entered this phase, treatment must be given as soon as possible. This aims to prevent the spread of cancer cells are increasingly widespread.
Stage 3 Breast Cancer Treatment Options
Treatment measures for stage 3 breast cancer are not much different from stage 2. Several treatment options for stage 3 cancer include:
- ChemotherapyIf the cancer is accompanied by a large tumor, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy. In addition to being the main treatment, chemotherapy can be combined before and after surgery. Chemotherapy can be in the form of pills, fluids that are taken orally or injected into a vein.
- Lumpectomy or mastectomyThere are two possible operations. First, operation lumpectomy in stage 3 breast cancer to remove the tumor and tissue around the breast tumor. Second, mastectomy which will remove the entire breast at once along with the lymph nodes.
- Radiation therapyRadiation therapy is generally recommended by doctors after stage 3 breast cancer surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. This is so that the cancer cells do not come back again. This procedure may also be required prior to breast reconstruction.
- Hormone therapyThis therapy uses drugs that contain hormones, aiming to help inhibit the growth of tumors and cancer cells by blocking the intake of hormones to tumors and cancer cells. For postmenopausal women, there is an option to remove the ovaries so they no longer produce hormones that support cancer cells.
- Additional therapy
Several types of additional therapy can be done to help overcome stage 3 breast cancer. Additional therapy is meant for example acupuncture therapy, yoga, or massage. However, this therapy must be carried out with due regard to the medical standards given by the doctor.
The treatment that doctors do is not necessarily the same for every patient. Because the doctor will provide treatment according to the condition of each patient. The treatment will then be adjusted according to how well the body responds. Prompt treatment is very important to overcome and prevent further spread of cancer cells.