About Breast Cancer > Stages

Stages

Once a person is determined to have a malignant tumor or the diagnosis of breast cancer, the healthcare team will determine breast cancer staging to communicate how far the disease has progressed.

Breast Cancer Stages Once breast cancer is diagnosed, it will be assigned a stage based on the size and location of the tumor and whether or not cancer has spread.

Stage 0 Breast Cancer Overview Stage 0 is the earliest stage of breast cancer. It is non-invasive and has not spread. Stage 0 breast cancer is highly treatable.

Stage 1 Breast Cancer Overview Stage 1 is the earliest stage of invasive breast cancer, where the cancer has begun to spread into surrounding tissue or lymph nodes.

Stage 2 Breast Cancer Overview Stage 2 is invasive breast cancer that has grown and spread but is still contained within the breast tissue or nearby lymph nodes.

Stage 3 Breast Cancer Overview Stage 3 is locally advanced, invasive breast cancer that has spread out of the original area and into lymph nodes or muscle close to the breast.

Stage 4 Breast Cancer Overview Stage 4 is advanced, metastatic breast cancer that has spread from the breast to other areas of the body, such as the bones, lungs, liver, or brain.