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Breast Cancer Survival Rate by Stage
Health care professionals are able
to be predict a patient’s survival rate based on the determined stage of breast
cancer. The following chart is an approximate survival rate for each stage of breast
cancer. Percentages will vary depending on individual medical situations, etc.
| Stage |
5-year
Relative
Survival Rate |
| 0 |
100% |
| I |
100% |
| IIA |
92% |
| IIB |
81% |
| IIIA |
67% |
| IIIB |
54% |
| IV |
20% |
Source:
American Cancer Society
A five-year survival rate refers to the average number of patients who are still alive five years
after diagnosis with a specific stage of breast cancer. Five-year survival rates do not include
patients who die from other causes. After seven years, the survival rate decreases for each stage.
It is important to remember that these
survival rates are based on averages. Some women with advanced breast cancer live
significantly longer than seven years. Researchers are constantly developing new treatment
alternatives to prolong breast cancer survival.
Inflammatory
Breast Cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer is the
appearance of inflamed breasts (red and warm) with dimples and/or ridges caused by the
infiltration of tumor cells into the lymphatics. Inflammatory breast cancer can sometimes
be difficult to distinguish between benign (non-cancerous)
conditions (such as mastitis) and inflammatory
malignancy (cancerous conditions). Though rare, inflammatory breast cancer may spread
quickly to other parts of the body.
Treatment of inflammatory breast cancer
treatment is generally quite similar to the treatment of Stage IIIB or IV breast cancer.
In addition, patients usually undergo chemotherapy, hormonal
therapy and/or radiation treatment. Patients who respond
positively to systemic treatment may be candidates for mastectomy.
Paget’s
Disease of the Nipple
Paget’s disease of the nipple
is a rare form of breast cancer that begins in the milk ducts and spreads to the skin of
the nipple and areola. The skin may appear crusted, red, or oozing. Prognosis is better if
nipple changes are the only sign of the breast disease and no lump is felt.
Recurrence
of Breast Cancer
Women who experience a recurrence
of breast cancer after lumpectomy are often treated simply by mastectomy
(with or without breast reconstruction).
If cancer reoccurs after mastectomy,
additional surgery may be necessary to remove tumors near the mastectomy site, followed by
radiation therapy. Chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy may
also be administered.
Alternative treatment options for
recurrent breast cancer include:
- Hormone therapy
- Surgery and/or radiation therapy if
cancer is confined to one area and is operable
- Entry into a clinical trial testing new chemotherapy or hormonal drugs,
or biological therapy
Removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy)
is also a possible treatment option for recurrent breast cancer, though the procedure is
rarely performed in the United States.
Additional
Resources and References
- The American Cancer Society's provides
detailed information on breast cancer staging available at
http://www.cancer.org/.
May 4, 2008
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