Stage O

*Very early breast cancer or preinvasive cancer. This type of cancer has NOT spread within or outside of your breast (also called in situ or noninvasive cancer).

Stage l

*Tumor smaller than 2cm. (1 inch*). No cancer is found in the lymph nodes in the armpit, or outside the breast.

Stage ll

*Tumor smaller than 2cm. (1 inch). Cancer is found in the lymph nodes in the armpit,

*Tumor between 2 and 5 cm. (1 and 2 inches). Cancer may or may not be found in the lymph nodes in the armpit,

*Tumor larger than 5cm. (2 inches). Cancer is not found in the lymph nodes in the armpit.

Stage lll

*Tumor smaller than 5cm. (2 inches) with cancer also in the lymph nodes that are stuck together,

*Tumor larger than 5cm. (2 inches), OR cancer is attached to other parts of the breast area including the chest wall, ribs, and muscles,

*Inflammatory breast cancer. In this rare type of cancer, the skin of the breast is red and swollen.

Stage lV

*Tumor has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, lungs, liver, or brain.