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Stage 2 Breast Cancer Symptoms: Understanding Tumor Growth & Spread
By Raveena M Prakash
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women across the world. Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in getting successful treatment outcomes. Stage 2 breast cancer is considered an early but more advanced stage compared to stage 1. In simpler terms, stage 2 has grown or spread to nearby lymph nodes but has not reached the distant organs in the body.
In this article, we’ll help you to understand more about the symptoms, tumor growth, and how the cancer is spread, and it can help individuals to recognize warning signs and get timely medical care.
What is Stage 2 Breast Cancer?
Stage 2 breast cancer is an early stage of breast cancer, but it's larger than stage 1 cancer. These have started to spread to nearby lymph nodes, but they remain confined to the breast and regional lymph nodes.
These stages often divided into two sub-stages, including:
Stage 2A:
In this stage, the tumor is 2 cm or smaller than its size. At stage 2, this cancer has spread to 1 and 3 lymph nodes, but it remains confined to the breast and regional lymph nodes.
In this stage, no tumor is found in the breast, but cancer is present in 1-3 nearby lymph nodes, or the tumor is between 2 and 5 cm and has not spread to lymph nodes.
Stage 2B:
In this stage, the tumor is found to be between 2 and 5 cm, or it has started to spread to 1 to 3 lymph nodes, or the tumor is larger than 5 cm but has not spread to lymph nodes.
At this stage, breast cancer is still considered highly treatable, especially with early diagnosis and appropriate cancer therapy.
Understanding the tumor growth in Stage 2 Breast cancer
The stage 2 breast cancer tumor growth is known to be more noticeable when compared to its earlier stages. Cancer cells start to multiply and form a tumor or lump, that might be felt during the self examination or detected on performing tests such as mammograms or ultrasounds.
Tumors at this stage might grow rapidly and have a higher chance of getting involved near the lymph nodes, especially those under the arm, also known as axillary lymph nodes. The cancer has not spread to the distant organs such as the lungs, liver, bones, and brain.
Common symptoms of Breast Cancer
Symptoms of this stage can vary from person to person; some individuals might not experience any specific signs during this stage.
When symptoms start to appear, they may include:
- Breast lumps or thickening: A firm or hard lump in the breast or underarms. The lump may be painless and irregular in shape. The thickened areas of breast tissue that feel different from surrounding tissue.
- Changes in breast size or shape: Experiencing swelling in part or all of the breasts. Noticeable change in breast shape or symmetry.
- Skin changes: Experiencing a dimpling or puckering of the breast skin, which is often described as the orange peel feel. In some cases, patients might experience redness, irritation, or scaling of the skin.
- Nipple changes: Experiencing changes such as nipple inversion (turning down) and discharge from the nipple that is not breast milk. Additionally, experiencing pain or redness around the nipple area.
- Underarm or collarbone lumps: In some cases, patients witness swollen areas under the arms or near the collarbone; these lumps may be painless and firm in nature.
How Stage 2 breast cancer spreads
At Stage 2, the breast cancer majorly spreads through the lymphatic system. In this stage, the cancer cells have started to move from the breast to nearby lymph nodes, especially those present in the armpit. This type of limited spread starts to help doctors determine the staging and various treatment options.
Importantly, stage 2 breast cancer has not metastasized to distant organs. This often makes the treatment more effective, and treatment outcomes are more favorable than in advanced stages.
Diagnosis and staging
Healthcare providers might perform various physical examinations and mammograms to check for signs of stage 2 breast cancer.
Here are some of the following tests to diagnose the disease, including:
- Mammography
- Ultrasound
- Breast MRIs
- Biopsy to confirm the cancer type
- Lymph node evaluation
- Tumor marker and hormone receptor testing
Many experts suggest that an accurate staging helps to guide you with making treatment decisions and predict the treatment outcomes.
Treatment options for Stage 2 Breast Cancer
The treatment options for stage 2 cancer is highly personalised and often involves a combination of cancer therapies, including:
- Surgery: The most commonly used surgeries are lumpectomy and mastectomy.
- Radiation therapy: These treatments help to destroy remaining cancer cells in the breasts.
- Chemotherapy: These are effective cancer treatments used to reduce the risk of recurrence in patients.
- Hormone therapy: These treatments are used to treat cancers with hormone-receptors positive cancers.
- Targeted therapy: These treatments are used to target specific cancer cells types in patients.
Most patients with these stage 2 breast cancers tend to respond well to cancer treatment and start to live healthy and active lives.
When to consult a doctor
If you are experiencing any new lump, skin change, or nipple abnormality in the breasts, consult a doctor immediately; early diagnosis and action can save and make a huge difference in your breast health.
Consult Today
Stage 2 Breast cancer is a crucial yet easily treatable and manageable disease, and with early diagnosis and effective treatment, it can lead to excellent treatment outcomes. Understanding its treatment outcomes, tumor growth, and patterns of spread allows individuals to make more informed decisions. It allows patients to take a proactive step towards their breast health and timely cancer care.
At Oncare, we offer premium-quality cancer treatments, including advanced cancer surgeries, at an affordable price range with an experienced cancer specialist consultation.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Hospital and book an appointment with our experienced cancer specialist today ! Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Breast cancer may not cause symptoms in some cases; if it does, the symptoms may include a change in the size, shape, or contour of the breasts; a mass or lump, which might feel as small as a pea; or a marble-like area under the skin.
The risk factors of breast cancer may include women being above the age of 55, family history of cancer, women with a genetic mutation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and having obesity and previous radiation therapy.
A healthcare provider performs tests to check the presence of breast cancer, including breast ultrasound, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, breast biopsy, and immunohistochemistry tests.
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