What are the typical stages of breast cancer?

The typical stages of breast cancer range from Stage 0 to Stage IV, representing the spectrum of disease progression. Stage 0 indicates non-invasive cancer, typically referred to as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), where abnormal cells are confined to the ducts of the breast and have not spread to surrounding tissue. As the stage progresses to Stage I, Stage II, and subsequently Stage III, the cancer becomes more invasive, with potential lymph node involvement and larger tumor sizes. Stage IV indicates metastatic breast cancer, where cancer cells have spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body.

This comprehensive staging system assists healthcare providers in determining the extent of cancer and helps guide treatment decisions. Understanding the full range of staging is crucial for effective breast cancer management and prognosis. Other choices do not accurately represent the complete commonly recognized staging system, as they either miss significant stages or do not follow the standard numerical progression typically associated with breast cancer staging.