What is stage 2 breast cancer?
Stage 2 breast cancer generally categorised under early breast cancer. There are two sub-categories to stage 2 – namely stages 2A & 2B. In stage 2A, the possibilities include:
- No tumor, accompanied by less than four cancerous lymph nodes under the arm.
- A small tumor (equal or lesser than 2 centimeters), with less than four cancerous lymph nodes under the arm
- A tumor measuring 2 to 5 centimeters, with no lymph node involvement
In stage 2B, the possibilities include:
- A tumor measuring 2 to 5 centimeters, with small clusters of breast cancer cells in the lymph nodes
- A tumor measuring 2 to 5 centimeters, with less than four cancerous lymph nodes under the arm
- A tumor that is larger than 5 centimeters in size, with no lymph node involvement
Treatment for stage 2 breast cancer (see full article for early breast cancer treatment)
Tumors in stage 2 breast cancer are larger than stage 1 tumors, and have lymph node involvement. Stage 2 breast cancer is still highly treatable. Surgical treatment includes mastectomy (breast removal surgery followed by reconstruction) or lumpectomy (breast conservative surgery), followed by radiation and chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.
In some cases of stage 2 breast cancer, hormonal treatments and targeted therapies are applicable. There is a possibility of the removal of lymph nodes for stage 2 breast cancer patients.
See also:
Stage 0 breast cancer
Stage 1 breast cancer
Stage 3 breast cancer
Stage 4 breast cancer
