STAGE 3 AWARENESS

 

What Is Stage 3 Breast Cancer?

Stage 3 breast cancer is considered locally advanced, meaning:

  • The cancer has spread beyond the breast to nearby lymph nodes or tissues,

  • BUT has NOT spread to distant organs (lungs, liver, bones, brain).

It is serious, but treatable, and many patients do very well with modern therapies.

 Stage 3 Is Divided Into:

🔹 Stage 3A

🔹 Stage 3B

🔹 Stage 3C

Each depends on how far cancer has spread and how many lymph nodes are affected.

Stage 3A Breast Cancer

You may have one of the following:

👉 1. Tumor can be any size

Cancer has spread to 4–9 lymph nodes (axillary or internal mammary)

OR

👉 2. Tumor is larger than 5 cm

And cancer has spread to 1–3 lymph nodes

OR

👉 3. No visible tumor in breast

But there is extensive lymph node involvement

Stage 3B Breast Cancer

Cancer has spread to:

  • The chest wall (muscles beneath the breast) or

  • The skin of the breast

This may cause:

  • Swelling

  • Skin ulcers

  • Skin dimpling

  • Inflammatory breast cancer (sometimes under Stage 3B)

Cancer may also be in up to 9 lymph nodes.

Stage 3C Breast Cancer

The cancer is more widely spread in lymph nodes, such as:

  • 10 or more axillary (underarm) lymph nodes, OR

  • Nodes above or below the collarbone, OR

  • Internal mammary lymph nodes

Tumor may be any size.

Still, there is NO spread to distant organs.

 Symptoms of Stage 3 Breast Cancer

Symptoms are often more noticeable than earlier stages:

  • A larger breast lump

  • Hard or swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near collarbone

  • Skin dimpling (orange peel texture)

  • Breast redness or swelling

  • Nipple changes or inversion

  • Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms (rapid swelling, warmth, redness)

 How Stage 3 Is Diagnosed

Doctors may use:

  • Mammogram

  • Ultrasound

  • MRI

  • Biopsy

  • Lymph node biopsy

  • CT scan / PET scan to check for spread

  • Hormone receptor tests (ER, PR)

  • HER2 testing

  • Genomic tests (in some cases)

 Treatment of Stage 3 Breast Cancer

Stage 3 treatment is more aggressive and involves multiple steps.

1. Neoadjuvant Therapy (Before Surgery)

Usually the first step.

May include:

  • Chemotherapy (most common)

  • Targeted therapy for HER2-positive cancer

  • Hormone therapy (for large ER-positive tumors)

Goal:

  • Shrink the tumor

  • Make surgery easier

  • Kill cancer cells in lymph nodes

2. Surgery

After shrinking the tumor, surgery is performed:

A. Mastectomy

Most Stage 3 cases require this.

B. Lumpectomy

Possible only if tumor shrinks enough.

C. Lymph Node Removal

Often axillary lymph node dissection (many nodes removed).

3. Radiation Therapy

Given after surgery to:

  • Chest wall / remaining breast

  • Underarm lymph nodes

  • Collarbone lymph nodes

Helps prevent recurrence.

4. Hormone Therapy

For ER/PR-positive cancers:

  • Tamoxifen

  • Aromatase inhibitors

  • Ovarian suppression (for younger women)

Usually given for 5–10 years.

5. Targeted Therapy

For HER2-positive cancer:

  • Trastuzumab

  • Pertuzumab

  • Newer HER2 drugs
    Given for 1 year in most cases.

6. Immunotherapy

May be used for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

 Prognosis (Outcome)

Stage 3 is serious but treatable.

General outlook depends on:

  • Tumor type (ER+, HER2+, TNBC)

  • Response to chemotherapy

  • Age and health

Many patients achieve long-term survival, especially with effective modern treatments.

 Follow-Up and Recovery

After treatment:

  • Regular check-ups every 3–6 months

  • Annual mammograms (if breast remains)

  • Exercise, healthy diet

  • Monitoring for lymphedema (swelling of arm)

  • Emotional support and counseling if needed


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