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Stages of Breast Cancer
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After breast cancer has been diagnosed, tests are done
to find out if cancer cells have spread within the breast or to other parts of
the body.
The process used to find out if the cancer has spread within the breast or to other
parts of the body is called staging.
The information gathered from the
staging process determines the stage of the disease. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment. (Refer to the PDQ summary on Breast Cancer Treatment for more information on the stages used for breast cancer.)
Methods used to stage breast cancer can be changed to make them
safer for the fetus.
Standard methods for giving imaging
scans can be adjusted so that the fetus is exposed to less radiation. Tests to
measure the level of hormones in the blood may also be used in the staging process.
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