Which Cancer Types Are Diagnosed As Stage 0 And 1 Breast Cancer?
The cancer stage describes the size of the tumour of abnormal cells as well as whether or not those cells are contained in the site of origin. The most common kind of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), meaning the cancer cells begin to grow in the milk ducts.
What does the term “in situ” mean?
Cancers in stage 0 are referred to as “carcinoma in situ.” Carcinoma means cancer, and “in situ” means “original location.” There are three types of “in situ carcinoma” of breast tissue:
- DCIS stands for Ductal Carcinoma in Situ.
- LCIS stands for lobular carcinoma in situ.
- Paget’s nipple disease
What Is Stage 0 DCIS?
DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) is non-invasive cancer in which abnormal cells are found in the lining of the breast milk duct. The atypical cells in Stage 0 breast cancer have not spread outside of the ducts or lobules into the surrounding breast tissue. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ is a highly treatable and very early cancer; however, if left untreated or undetected, it has the potential to spread into the surrounding breast tissue.
What is Stage 0 LCIS?
Lobular carcinoma in situ at Stage 0 is not usually considered cancer. Despite the name, carcinoma refers to the growth of abnormal but non-invasive cells that form in the lobules. Some experts prefer the term lobular neoplasia because it accurately describes the abnormal cells without referring to them as cancer. LCIS, on the other hand, may indicate that a woman is at an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
If you have LCIS, your doctor may advise you to have regular clinical breast exams and mammograms. They might also prescribe Tamoxifen, a hormone therapy medication that aids in preventing cancer cell growth.
What Does Having Stage 1 Breast Cancer?
Cancer is visible in Stage 1 breast cancer but is limited to the area where the first abnormal cells appeared. Breast cancer was discovered in its early stages and can be effectively treated.
Stage 1 is divided into two parts: Stage 1A and Stage 1B. The size of the tumour and the lymph nodes with cancer evidence determine the difference.
Stage 1A breast cancer means the following:
The tumour is no bigger than the size of a peanut (2 centimetres or less) and has not spread to the lymph nodes. (1 inch = 2.5 centimetres)
One of the following descriptions applies to Stage 1B breast cancer:
Lymph nodes have cancer evidence in the form of small clusters of cells the size of a pinprick to the width of a grain of rice (.2mm to 2.0 mm).
AND IN EITHER CASE
The breast contains no actual tumour.
OR
The tumour is approximately the size of a peanut (2 centimetres or smaller). (1 inch = 2.5 centimetres)
Breast cancer at this Stage, like stage 0, is highly treatable and curable. When the breast cancer gets detected early and is in the localised Stage (no evidence of cancer spreading outside of the breast),then 5-year relative survival rate is at 100%.
What Should A Person With Stage 0 Or Stage 1 Breast Cancer Expect Regarding Treatment?
The Stage 0 breast cancer is considered “non-invasive. But it does necessitate treatment, which is typically surgery, radiation, or a combination of the two. Chemotherapy is typically not used in the early stages of cancer treatment.
Stage 1 is highly treatable, but it does necessitate treatment, most commonly surgery and radiation, or a combination of the two. You may also consider hormone therapy depending on the type of cancer cells discovered and your other risk factors. Chemotherapy, like stage 0, is not always required in the early stages of cancer.
The National Cancer Institute provided the information on this page.
