Stage 3 Breast Cancer Care: Treatment & Expert Insights

Stage 3 Breast Cancer?

Stage 3 breast cancer, also called locally advanced breast cancer, refers to cancer where the tumor is larger, has spread to multiple nearby lymph nodes, or has invaded nearby tissues such as the chest wall or skin, but has not metastasized to distant organs. It is divided into Stage 3A, 3B, and 3C based on tumor size, lymph node involvement, and local tissue invasion as per the TNM staging system. Stage 3 breast cancer is more serious than earlier stages but remains potentially curable with aggressive treatment, differentiating it clearly from stage 4 metastatic breast cancerstage 3 metastatic breast cancer.

Stage 3A

Tumor of any size with cancer in 4 to 9 axillary lymph nodes or in nodes near the breastbone. Tumor larger than 5 cm with cancer in 1 to 3 axillary or breastbone lymph nodes.

Stage 3B

Spread of cancer to chest wall or skin of the breast, possibly causing swelling or ulceration, involving up to 9 lymph nodes. Inflammatory breast cancer falls in this category.

Stage 3C

Cancer of any size has spread to 10 or more axillary lymph nodes, or lymph nodes above/below the collarbone, or nodes in the armpit and near the breastbone.

Causes & Risk Factors of Stage 3 Breast Cancer

The risk factors for stage 3 breast cancer mirror those of earlier stages, including age, family history, specific genetic mutations like BRCA1/2, hormonal influences, high breast density, obesity, alcohol consumption, prior chest radiation, and delayed detection. Aggressive tumor biology or delayed diagnosis often contributes to the progression to stage 3 locally advanced breast cancerlocally advanced breast cancer.

Signs & Symptoms of Stage 3 Breast Cancer

Common Early Signs

Larger, palpable lump in breast or underarm. Edema or thickening of breast tissue. Noticeable changes in breast size or shape. Dimpling or puckering of breast skin. Nipple changes including inversion or unusual discharge.

Less Common Symptoms

Redness, warmth, or rash on breast skin. Peau d’orange, resembling an orange-peel texture on skin. Swollen lymph nodes above or below the collarbone. Skin ulceration or open sores, notably in inflammatory breast cancer.

Diagnosis of Stage 3 Breast Cancer

Diagnosis includes clinical examination, imaging (mammogram, ultrasound, MRI), and biopsy. Advanced staging with CT, PET, or bone scans is essential to exclude distant metastasis. Tumor profiling for hormone receptor and HER2 status guides personalized treatment and prognosis, essential due to the seriousness of stage 3 breast cancer.

Treatment Process of Stage 3 Breast Cancer

Treatment for stage 3 breast cancer is intensive and multidisciplinary, generally comprising:

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Pre-surgery chemotherapy to shrink tumors, recognized as the best treatment for breast cancer stage 3 to enable operability. Surgery: Mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery with extensive lymph node dissection. Radiation therapy: Post-surgical radiation targeting residual cancer cells in breast, chest wall, or lymph nodes. Hormone therapy: For hormone receptor-positive tumors, long-term hormone suppression is standard. Targeted therapy: Medications such as trastuzumab for HER2-positive cancers. Immunotherapy: Increasingly used, particularly for aggressive triple-negative breast cancers. The stage 3 breast cancer treatment timeline often extends over several months of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and years of hormone or targeted therapiesstage 3 breast cancer treatment timeline.

Why Choose Everhope for Stage 3 Breast Cancer Treatment

Everhope Oncology is a leading center for stage 3 breast cancer treatment in India, offering advanced diagnostic tools and precision oncology. Their comprehensive, personalized approach integrates the best available therapies and supportive care to improve outcomes and quality of life throughout treatment stages and survivorship.