Survival Rate For Stage 3 Breast Cancer

Breast cancer develops when the cells in your breast multiply and grow out of control, resulting in a lump of tissue known as a tumor. Oncologists classify breast cancer into several stages according to the size of the tumor and the extent of its spread. If the cancer is large or has invaded neighboring tissues or organs, it is high-stage cancer, while the ones that are small or not spread beyond the breast are at a lower stage.

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women throughout the world, says Dr. Garvit Chitkara, one of the best breast cancer surgeon in Mumbai. And finding out you or a loved one has developed stage 3 breast cancer might raise a lot of questions regarding diagnosis, prognosis, therapies, and other issues.

Your main concern will be receiving the best care, but you will also consider your prognosis. Your prognosis may be what your doctor uses. It is a prediction of how the illness will affect you. It is merely an estimate or educated hunch.

Please continue reading to learn more about stage 3 breast cancer, its available treatments, and coping with the disease.

What is Stage 3 Breast Cancer

Breast cancer that has progressed to multiple surrounding lymph nodes is referred to be stage 3 breast cancer. If a tumor is greater than 5 centimeters (cm) and the cancerous cells have spread to lymph nodes but not yet reached distant organs, it is also referred to as stage 3 breast cancer.

Although stage 3 breast cancers are thought to be locally advanced breast cancers, they are not metastatic. This indicates that the cancer is contained within the breast and its regional distribution, and has not spread to other organs or other parts of the body.

Stage 3 tumors frequently reach a specific size and have migrated to several lymph nodes above or below your clavicle (the bone that connects the breastplate to the shoulder) or close to the breastbone. Stage 3 breast cancer also includes inflammatory breast cancer.

Dr. Garvit Chitkara adds that Stage 3 breast cancer has a few substages, and the diagnosis affects prognosis and treatment. Dr. Chitkara is a highly experienced breast oncosurgeon and among the preferred specialists for people seeking breast cancer surgery in Mumbai.

Stage 3 cancer is divided into the following stages:

Stage 3A

• The breast tumor is less than 2cm. Four to nine neighboring lymph nodes have cancer.
• The tumor is over 5 cm in size. There are also small collections of cancer cells In neighboring lymph nodes.
• The tumor is over 5 cm in size. Up to three neighboring lymph nodes close to your breastbone or under your arm also contain cancer.

Stage 3B

A tumor of some size is present, and the skin of the breast or the chest wall contains cancerous cells. These areas could seem swollen or have sores. Additionally, one of the subsequent clauses applies:

• Nine or more neighboring lymph nodes are affected.
• The lymph nodes close to the breastbone have developed cancerous growths.

Stage 3C

A tumor of any size may or may not be present, but cancer has spread to the breast skin or chest wall. The skin is inflamed or has ulcers. Any of the following may also apply:

• At least ten lymph nodes under your arms have cancer.
• The lymph nodes that extend up to your collarbone contain cancer.
• The lymph nodes under your arm and close to the breastbone contain cancer.

The acclaimed breast oncologist Dr. Garvit Chitkara says that though stage 3C breast cancer is termed as operable or inoperable, an operable diagnosis does not necessarily mean that it cannot be treated.

Stage 3 breast cancer survival rate

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that 86% of females with stage 3 breast cancer have a survival rate of 5 years. The term 5-year survival rate is an evaluation of the cancer patient’s chance of living disease free 5 years after their cancer diagnosis compared to an individual without breast cancer. The survival rates also depend upon the subtype of your cancer. They are generally better for Hoprmone positive cancer as compared to HER2neu positive or Triple Negative breast Cancer (TNBC)

Cancer specialists frequently use the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) program to evaluate survival rates. They are able to determine the most effective therapy depending on the stage of cancer during diagnosis, and the cancer stage can also reveal a lot about the patient’s prognosis or life expectancy.

Mumbai’s eminent oncoplastic breast surgeon Dr. Garvit Chitkara adds that each person’s chance of surviving breast cancer will vary, and many of the contributing factors are not considered in the SEER stages.

Survival rate by age

5-year survival rates by age during diagnosis are as follows:

• Women below 45: 88%
• Women between 45-54: 91%
• Women between 55-64: 91%
• Women between 65-74: 92%
• Women aged 75 or above: 86%

Factors That Influence Survival

The 5-year survival rate for stage 3 breast cancer can differ from person to person. Some of the key factors that affect it include:

• Type of Breast Cancer: Hormone-positive cancers usually have better outcomes. HER2-positive types respond well to targeted drugs, while triple-negative breast cancer tends to be more aggressive.
  
• Tumor Size and Grade: Larger tumors or those that grow quickly may be harder to treat and could affect the chances of recovery.
  
• Lymph Node Involvement: If more lymph nodes are affected, the risk of cancer coming back can be higher.
  
• Response to Treatment: If the cancer shrinks or disappears after chemotherapy (especially before surgery), it often means a better outlook.
  
• Genetic Factors: Mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2 may influence treatment decisions and outcomes.
  
• Age and General Health: Younger patients and those in good overall health may respond better to treatment.
  
• Type of Treatment Given: A well-planned combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy can improve survival rates.
  

Inoperable breast cancer

The term “inoperable” may refer to conditions where a simple surgery cannot remove all cancer in your breast and its surrounding tissues. When breast cancer is treated, the margin, a band of healthy tissue surrounding the tumor, is also removed.                                                                           

Healthy tissue must be present in every breast margin from your clavicle to a couple of inches under the breast mound for breast cancer to be adequately removed.

Accomplished breast cancer specialist Dr. Garvit Chitkara says that inoperable breast cancer can become operable after you have undergone treatment to reduce the cancer.

Is stage 3 breast cancer curable?

Stage 3 breast cancer treatment options could include:

• Surgery to remove lymph nodes and malignant (cancerous) tissues
• Hormone therapy can be used to lessen or stop the spread of cancerous cells caused due to hormonal imbalance
• Radiation therapy involves using high-energy particles to kill cancer cells
• Chemotherapy, where drugs are used to destroy cancer cells that are dividing and spreading quickly
• Targeted therapy involves attacking cancer cells using your DNA without hurting healthy cells

Breast cancer specialist Dr. Garvit Chitkara adds that additionally, your doctor might advise combining two or more therapies.

Conclusion

Despite considerable advancements in diagnosis and treatment, receiving a cancer diagnosis often leaves people feeling scared or traumatized. A person may feel a variety of different emotions, and each person may react differently.

Speaking with someone, even those who are coping with the same diagnosis, may be beneficial. People might also want to take care of themselves and avoid working too hard.

Also, please be aware that the prognosis and survival rates for grade 3 or stage 3 breast cancer are constantly rising. For stage 3 breast cancer, the 5-year survival rates are currently 86% for women and 83% for men. 

If you or a loved one has breast cancer, please do not hesitate to consult the highly skilled breast oncoplastic surgeon, Dr. Garvit Chitkara, for safe and effective treatment options.