Breast cancer, the second most common cause of cancer in women, affects around 12 percent of women by age 95 and accounted for around 41,000 deaths in 2006 in the United States, the Merck Manual reports. Staging breast cancers by location and spread helps determine treatment and prognosis. Staging includes three factors, called TNM--the tumor location, the presence of cancer in nearby lymph nodes, and metastasis, or spread, to other parts of the body. Breast cancer at more advanced stages carries a poorer long-term prognosis.
Stage IIIA
Stage III breast cancer, considered locally advanced cancer, is further subdivided into Stages A, B and C. Stage IIIA includes cancer less than 5 cm across in size that spreads to between four and nine axillary lymph nodes or enlarges the internal mammary lymph nodes, the American Cancer Society explains. Tumors larger than 5 cm that spread to one to nine axillary lymph nodes or to the internal mammary glands, but that don't extend to the chest wall or skin, also classify as Stage IIIA. Lymph nodes attach to each other or to nearby structures, MayoClinic.com adds.
With optimal treatment, the 10-year survival rate for Stage IIIA breast cancer ranges from 65 to 75 percent, the Merck Manual states. Possible treatments for Stage IIIA cancer include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy.
Stage IIIB
Stage IIIB breast cancer includes tumors that grow into the chest wall or skin, with or without spread to axillary or internal mammary lymph nodes, according to the American Cancer Society. No metastasis occurs in Stage IIIB cancer. Ten-year prognosis with optimal treatment ranges from 10 to 40 percent, depending on the number of lymph nodes involved. Treatments consist of chemotherapy followed by surgery or surgery followed by radiation, the National Cancer Institute states. Inflammatory breast cancer, an especially aggressive type of cancer, also classifies as Stage IIIB, MayoClinic.com reports.
Stage IIIC
Stage IIIC classification includes tumors of any size with spread to 10 or more axillary nodes and to lymph nodes above and below the collarbone. Internal mammary nodes may be enlarged or have tiny amounts of cancer present, the American Cancer Society states. Treatments include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Only 10 percent survive 10 years, even with optimal treatment, according to the Merck Manual.
Stage IV
Stage IV breast cancer includes metastasis to other parts of the body. The most common sites for metastasis include the bones, brain, liver and lung, the American Cancer Society reports. With treatment, 10 percent of patients survive 10 years. Treatments include hormone therapy, chemotherapy and radiation to reduce symptoms. Treatment with bisphosphonates may reduce bone symptoms, according to the National Cancer Institute.
