Northwest Oncology & Hematology

Rolling Meadows Office: 847.870.4100
Elk Grove Village Office: 847.437.3312
Hoffman Estates Office: 847.885.4100
Barrington Office: 847.842.0180
Elgin Office: 847.577.1023

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Welcome to our health education library. The information shared below is provided to you as an educational and informational source only and is not intended to replace a medical examination or consultation, or medical advice given to you by a physician or medical professional.

What Is Breast Cancer?C¡ncer de seno

What Is Breast Cancer?

Having breast cancer means that some cells in your breast are growing abnormally. Learning about the different types and stages of breast cancer can help you take an active role in your treatment.

Changes in Your Breast

Your entire body is made of living tissue. This tissue is made up of tiny cells. You can't see these cells with the naked eye. Normal cells reproduce (divide) in a controlled way. When you have cancer, some cells become abnormal, changing shape. These cells may divide quickly and spread into other parts of the body.

Cutaway view of normal breast

Normal breast tissue is made of healthy cells. They reproduce new cells that look the same.

Cutaway view of breast with tumor

Noninvasive breast cancer (carcinoma in situ) occurs when cancer cells are only in the ducts.

Cutaway view of breast with tumor

Invasive breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells move out of the ducts or lobules into the surrounding breast tissue.

Cutaway view of breast with tumor

Metastasis occurs when cancer cells move into the lymph nodes or bloodstream and travel to another part of the body.

Stages of Breast Cancer

Several tests are used to measure the size of a tumor and learn how far it has spread. This is called staging. The stage of your cancer will help determine your treatment. Based on American Cancer Society guidelines, the stages of breast cancer are:

  • Stage 0. The cancer is noninvasive. Cancer cells are found only in the ducts (ductal carcinoma in situ).

  • Stage I. The tumor is 2 cm or less in diameter. It has invaded the surrounding breast tissue, but has not spread to the underarm lymph nodes.

  • Stage II. The tumor is larger than 2 cm or has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm.

  • Stage III. The tumor is larger than 5 cm. Or the tumor has spread to the skin, chest wall, or nearby lymph nodes.

  • Stage IV. The tumor has spread to the bones, lungs, or lymph nodes far away from the breast.

Recurrent breast cancer. When the cancer returns despite treatment.

 

Date Last Reviewed: 2007-01-15T00:00:00-07:00

Date Last Modified: 2003-06-01T00:00:00-06:00

Contact us at Northwest Oncology & Hematology. You can reach us at 847.870.4100 (Rolling Meadows office), 847.437.3312 (Elk Grove Village office), 847.885.4100 (Hoffman Estates office), 847.842.0180 (Barrington office) and 847.577.1023 (Elgin office). For your convenience, you can also use our New Patient Appointment online form to schedule your consultation with us.

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