| Stage 3 is classified into subcategories known as | | | | to lymph nodes in the armpit and beneath the |
| 3A, 3B, and 3C. | | | | breast bone, or to nodes above or below the |
| Stage 3 involves a mastectomy and lymph node | | | | collarbone, but there is no further extend |
| removal as a typical of care. A joint approach of | | | | Stage 3 breast cancer is typified by one of the |
| both chemotherapy and radiation is usually | | | | following: |
| suggested following surgery. Endocrine and | | | | - A primary cancer that measures less than 5 cm |
| targeted/biologic therapies might be alternatives | | | | (2 inches) in size and causes axillary (underarm) |
| for treatment as well. | | | | lymph nodes to be attached to each other or |
| Stage 3A indicates | | | | other structures |
| - Even though no tumour is observed in the | | | | - A primary cancer that is greater than 5 cm (2 |
| breast, the lymph nodes beneath the arm contain | | | | inches) in size and involves axillary lymph nodes |
| cancer cells and are stuck jointly, but there is no | | | | - A primary cancer that is attached to the chest |
| sign of cancer extend or | | | | wall or skin |
| - The tumour is 5 cm or less, the lymph nodes in | | | | Breast cancer that has extended to the lymph |
| the armpit include cancer cells and are stuck to | | | | nodes is generally referred to as node-positive |
| each other, but the cancer has not extend | | | | disease. |
| elsewhere or | | | | Effective treatment of stage 3 breast cancer |
| - The tumour is more than 5 cm, the lymph | | | | needs both local and systemic therapy. Local |
| nodes in the armpit include cancer cells and might | | | | therapy includes surgery and/or radiation and is |
| be stuck jointly, but there is no further extend | | | | directed at obliterating any cancer cells in or near |
| Stage 3B indicates | | | | the breast. Systemic therapy is aimed at at |
| - The tumour is fixed to the skin or chest wall, | | | | obliterating cancer cells all through the body, and |
| the lymph nodes might or might not include | | | | might consist of chemotherapy, hormonal |
| cancer cells, but there is no further extend | | | | therapy, or biological therapy. Systemic therapy |
| Stage 3C indicates | | | | might be managed prior to surgery, which is |
| - The tumour could be any size and has extended | | | | named neoadjuvant therapy. |