Stage 3 Breast Cancer Treatment Series

Stage 3 breast cancer is a situation when cancer cells in the breast have spread to the lymph nodes that are in the armpit. This condition is too risky and most lumps that grow in the breast area are more than 5 centimeters (cm) in size.

Basically, the stage of breast cancer is done to select the extent to which the cancer develops and spreads. To cope with breast cancer, a combination of more than one style of treatment is needed. For example, chemotherapy that is done to reduce the tumor is applied before going to the surgical procedure.

Division of Breast Cancer Stage

To find out how far the cancer cells have spread, the doctor will conduct a series of checks. There are several choices of procedures that doctors can do, including blood tests, physical examinations, breast scans using mammography, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or PET scan, to get a more detailed picture of the condition of the breast.

Stage 3 breast cancer is divided into 3A, 3B, and 3C. Stage 3A category indicates the size of the tumor is more than 5 cm and has spread to one to three lymph nodes. Then, stage 3B means that the spread of cancer cells is wider, not only in the surrounding lymph nodes or under the armpits, but also in the skin tissue and chest muscles around the breast.

Stage 3C breast cancer is characterized by tumors that have spread to 10 or more lymph nodes under the armpit, and spread to lymph nodes around the neck or in the breast. When cancer has entered this phase, treatment must be given as soon as possible. This aims to prevent the wider spread of cancer cells.

Treatment Options for Stage 3 Breast Cancer

Treatment measures for stage 3 breast cancer are not much different from stage 2. Some of the options for stage 3 cancer treatment include:

•     Chemotherapy

    If the cancer is accompanied by a large tumor, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy. Besides being the main treatment, chemotherapy can be combined before and after surgery. Chemotherapy can be in the form of pills, fluid that is drunk or injected into a vein.

•     Lumpectomy or mastectomy

    There are two possible operations. First, lumpectomy surgery in stage 3 breast cancer to remove the tumor and tissue around the breast tumor. Second, mastectomy which will remove the entire breast at the same time along with lymph nodes.

•     Radiation therapy

    Radiation therapy is generally recommended by doctors after a stage 3 breast cancer surgery to destroy the remaining cancer cells. It aims to prevent cancer cells from returning. This procedure may also be needed before breast reconstruction procedures are performed.

•     Hormone therapy

    This therapy uses drugs that contain hormones, aiming to help inhibit the development of tumors and cancer cells by blocking the intake of hormones to tumors and cancer cells. For women who are menopausal, there is an option to remove the ovary so that it no longer produces hormones that support cancer cells.

•     Additional therapy

    Several types of additional therapy can be done to help deal with stage 3 breast cancer. Additional therapy is meant for example acupuncture therapy, yoga, or massage. However, this therapy must be carried out with due regard to medical standards given by doctors.

Treatment by doctors is not necessarily the same in every patient. Therefore, the doctor will provide treatment in accordance with the conditions of each patient. The treatment will then be adjusted to how well the body responds. Immediate treatment is very important to overcome and prevent further spread of cancer cells.

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