How to Treat Stage III (3) Breast Cancer - Updated

What are the treatment options for stage III breast cancer? In this video, Dr. Jennifer Griggs explains all you need to know about the treatment options for stage III (3) breast cancer.
#breastcancer #breastcancerdetection
Get your personalized Yerbba Report at www.yerbba.com/
Connect With Yerbba!
WEBSITE: www.yerbba.com
INSTAGRAM: yerbba
FACEBOOK: yerbba.breast.cancer
TWITTER: yerbba_bc
BLOG: blog.yerbba.com/
Disclaimer: Yerbba KZbin videos are for informational purposes only, do not constitute medical advice, and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical team, mental health professional, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition.

[@meritabuff741]

Praying and for all I had breast cancer nov 2023had sugury 16 treatments of radation but no chemo was needed no cancer found in one lump node my dr said he would take one out to check it out doing great takeing Anastrozole I haven’t had no real bad side effect just minor Praying for everyone who has or faceing breast cancer Trust God 💯🙏🙏🙏🙏♥️💜

[@yerbba]

It's great to hear about your positive progress and minimal side effects with anastrozole after your surgery and radiation. Thank you for being part of our community!

[@ruchikameshram]

I can heal u

[@amnnas248]

I was recently Diagnosed and trying to educate myself I came across your channel. I just want to say that the work you are doing here is super appreciative. You made it easy to understand options and challenges and solutions ahead . This was one of the best resources. I found anywhere. God bless you for putting these videos up ❤❤

[@yerbba]

We're truly grateful for your kind words. It means a lot to know that our videos have been helpful to you during this challenging time. Remember, you're not alone on this journey, and we're here to provide support and information whenever you need it. Wishing you strength and courage as you navigate through your diagnosis.

[@asumaduwlydia6737]

Thank you, Dr. God bless you for your education ❤

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching. Yerbba appreciates you!

[@gabrielasaez9601]

Excellent informative video. Thanks!

[@yerbba]

We're glad you found this video helpful!

[@californiadoll6273]

Stage 3/4 are my favorite stories to listen to : ) yay

[@yerbba]

You may be referring to stories of people doing well with Stage III disease or Stage IV disease. We agree although of course we wish that no one had to deal with either.

[@mzsphalerite2307]

I had a special dye injected into the tumor area. An instrument was then used to trace the flow of the dye in the lymph system and lymph nodes. This helped my surgeon identify where the lymph nodes were located and to remove them for testing. I had 3 lymph nodes removed. All 3 were negative for cancer and I stayed at Stage 2.

[@yerbba]

It’s great to hear that all three of your lymph nodes were negative for cancer. There are two ways to find the sentinel nodes, one with dye and one with the radioisotope. For some people, both methods are used. Thank you for sharing your experience; it can be very informative for others going through similar procedures.

[@maryfrancessealongo6261]

My mother stage 3 cancer we dont have history.. Its a rare case under her armpit .. The shape was deform and blood flow outside it has an open hole where blood flow.. Before small cyts.. Thanks for video informative

[@yerbba]

Thanks for writing and for watching. Wishing you and your mother all the best.

[@lisalavoie3373]

I enjoy your videos very much. I just watched this video. I was diagnosed with ILC in May 2023. First diagnosed with Stage 2 and a 2 cm tumor; a lumpectomy was scheduled. An MRI showed larger 6cm tumor which changed it to a stage 3 grade 1. My ki67was 1% benefit with chemo. Had radiation and hormone blockers. Have you heard of other stage 3 patients that do not benefit from chemo?

[@yerbba]

The genomic assays have not been validated in people with Stage III disease, but since the test was done, it's possible to see why your doctor made this recommendation. Endocrine therapy is likely to offer you a much bigger benefit.

[@heatherdufault6578]

@@yerbba I might add that doctors won't even bother offering an Oncotype test to most women with Stage 3 disease--as it is usually pretty obvious from all the typical Stage 3 parameters that they need chemotherapy (and radiation, too). Certainly was the case in my situation....

[@naththomas9946]

Thank you for your educational material.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching!

[@kathryn2334]

Thank you so much.

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching and being part of the Yerbba community!

[@asamy648]

Thanks for this informative video! Appreciate it

[@yerbba]

Thanks for watching and your positive feedback. Make sure to subscribe to be updated when we post!

[@stong5208]

Dear Dr Griggs, I have stage 3 breast cancer (triple positive) with suspicious axillary nodes. I have gone through chemotherapy and the tumour has shrunk from 6cm to 2.2cm with no visible enlarged lymph nodes now. I am now awaiting surgery (mastectomy). However my doctor says he will not be testing the sentinel lymph nodes during the surgery but will clear all the lymph nodes to be safe. I am wondering if this is the correct procedure. Is it necessary to clear all the axillary lymph nodes? Would appreciate your prompt advice, please. Many thanks.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for writing. In people whose axillary lymph nodes are positive before systemic therapy, there is a greater than 10% chance that a sentinel node (or nodes) will be false negative. Some people can avoid a full axillary dissection. For example, if a previously biopsied lymph node has a marker placed within it before systemic therapy, if more than 3 sentinel nodes are removed, and if both dye and a radioisotope are used, the false negative rate may be lower.

[@fb-8285]

Many thanks again for this video. My wife 43 is in breast screening programme because of strong family history (BRCA 1/2 negative). In March this year 3rd year of screening new calcifications were seen, but also 2 lumps have formed. She has formed a so called multifocal "interval Cancer". She had surgery, skin sparing mastectomy, tissue expander and is now awaiting radiotherapy. Prosigna Genomic test of the larger node 3cm has grouped her in the low risk group. There was a large field of DCIS. Plan is Endocrine Therapy for 5 years. How come that a 3cm tumor and DCIS have been missed in a screening programme with annual mammograms?! She is Sentinel Lymph node negative, bur how do we know if this one has already spread at this stage, because 3cm nodes or DCIS don't grow overnight. I would be grateful for your expertise. Thank you

[@yerbba]

Thank you for writing about interval cancers. For others reading this, an interval cancer is one that develops between one screening mammogram and the next. There are a couple of reasons for this occurrence. One would be if the patient has dense breasts. Tumors are hard to detect in people with dense breasts. The other reason is that the cancer was not visible on the most recent mammogram. Tumors have to have 1 billion cells to be detectable. So if there were 3/4 billion cells, it would not have been seen. Mammography is most definitely the best thing we have, but it is not clear that starting mammograms earlier will improve outcome in people with more rapidly dividing tumors (which younger people are more likely to have). Sentinel lymph nodes are very sensitive and specific. A negative sentinel node is rarely associated with other positive nodes (less than 5%, or 1 in 20 people). With a low risk genomic assay result, it is likely that, if the tumor is ER and/or PR positive (which it needs to be for people to have the genomic assay), endocrine therapy will be effective at treating any disease that has spread to other parts of the body.

[@fb-8285]

@@yerbba Hi, Many thanks for taking the time replying. I just would be grateful if you would advice how to reduce the anxiety of not knowing if the tumour has already spread or not. In node negative patients (axillary node negative) what is the risk of distant metastasis already in early stage? Even if the genomic test suggesting only a 7% risk of distant recurrence in 10 years time but what is the chance of this recurring beyond 10 years? They are just putting her on Tamoxifen for 5 years and will have radiotherapy to the site. I wonder what your opinion is on ctDNA test to reduce the anxiety and maybe detect early signs of recurrence (Signatera)? Thanks for addressing this as tumour recurrence anxiety can be a problem long term.

[@queencoins9913]

Just got diagnosed today 😢

[@yerbba]

We're so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Remember, there is support available, and you're not alone on this journey.

[@SarojiniPK-xp3sf]

We are learning a lot from you mam !Thank you so much.My mom diagonised with stage 3 tnbc now have completed 4 cycles of AC and she is in 5 th chemo out of 12 paclitaxel.after 4th chemo of paclitaxel she got back pain how to handle this mam whether is there is a possibility of spread to spine during chemo.And what is 1 cm lymph node means? how many number of nodes is 1cm it is written in prescription as 1 cm lymph node?? Once again thank for doing the great work 🎉

[@yerbba]

Your mom's experience with breast cancer treatment sounds challenging, and back pain during chemotherapy can indeed be distressing. It's important to discuss this with her oncologist as it could be related to the treatment or something else. A 1 cm lymph node refers to the size of the lymph node. There is no great clinical significance of this detail.

[@rabbitgirl42]

My left breast had a 4cm tumor plus 6 cancerous axillary nodes. With adjuvant chemotherapy, the tumor has shrunk to 1cm and the lymph nodes have returned to normal morphology. I'm advocating for a lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy rather than a mastectomy. The hospital Tumor Board will get the final say. Fingers crossed.

[@yerbba]

It's great to hear that the tumor has responded well to chemotherapy. Advocating for a lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy is a valid approach, especially given the positive response. Fingers crossed (and toes!) for a favorable decision from your medical team.

[@mmbhc233]

Dr my mom has grade 3 ..she has done 4 cycles of chemotherapy but she said she hasn't feel any remarkable chsnge in tumor but at first it was growing fast but now its not growing but also doesn't feel shrink

[@yerbba]

Thanks for coming here to share your story. Your mother is fortunate to have you. Even if there is no apparent decrease in the size of the tumor, it is likely that there is some cancer cell death. The true extent of response will not be known until after surgery.

[@queen-servant-of-allah2822]

Wow super useful video thank u so much for sharing 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽🥰🥰🥰♥️♥️♥️🥀🥀🥀

[@yerbba]

We are so glad you found this video helpful. Thank you for watching!

[@AB-vg7gt]

Excellent, informative video! What determines if someone will need further systemic therapy after surgery? Thank you!

[@yerbba]

Wonderful question. Decisions about whether to offer additional therapy depends on the stage of disease and the tumor characteristics, including estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status, HER2 status, and a few other characteristics. In Stage III (3) cancer, systemic therapy (chemotherapy with or without targeted therapy), radiation therapy, and endocrine therapy (if the tumor has the hormone receptors).

[@mjdsouthsf]

Good morning, I immensely grateful for your videos and others that have educated me so much in the short time between diagnosis (5/1) and lumpectomy (6/7) so that with some exceptions I am able to read and comprehend biopsy and final surgical reports. My question--is Stage 1A congruent with AJCC 8th Ed category pT2 pN0. Tumor size 26mm (2.6cm). Thank for all you do.

[@yerbba]

So happy that the videos have been helpful. Keep coming back because we are always putting out new content. Stage IA is a tumor under 2.0 cm. A tumor that measures 26 mm is Stage II (T2N0 or N1). Without knowing the lymph nodes, I can't say if this is a Stage II tumor.

[@eusuntdomi5728]

Hi and thank you for these informative info. I have a question and I Rly hope I will get an answer from you. My mom was recently diagnosed with a malignant 53mm breast tumour and some 8mm enlarged axillary lymph nodes(the MRI report says something like “a few lymph nodes are enlarged measuring 8mm max). She also have done a CT scan for abdomen, lungs and pelvic zone and the results were fine. No involvemnt of any lymph nodes in CT scan. Also the oncologist asked my mom to take 3 moths of letrozole first. No chemo treatment was involved by now. Only double mastectomy(my mom wish) and the letrozole treatment. What does it says about my mom’s case? I just want an opinion because I found rly hard to ask my mom a lot of questions since she is so emotional about what is going on to happen. Surgeries, reconstruction and so on. Almost forgot: she is 63 years old Thank you!

[@yerbba]

Thanks for writing, and your mother is fortunate to have you looking out for her. Letrozole given before surgery is often used to reduce the size of the tumor in the breast and any cells in the lymph nodes. The fact that no other lymph node involvement was found in the CT scans is encouraging. It’s good to continue discussions with her oncologist to understand the strategy behind her treatment plan.

[@payalpandey875]

mam my mom have 3 stage grade 2 tnbc she got her 2nd chemo in 13 june after her first chemo she didn't feel that her tumor is shrink mam how many chemo get the tumor shrink pls help me what should we do

[@yerbba]

Thanks for writing. Even if the tumor doesn't feel smaller, it is likely that the tumor cells are dying. We generally don't feel the tumor shrinking until after 3 or more cycles.

[@heatherdufault6578]

I'm not sure how old this video is--but I am wondering why you haven't discussed the use of CDK 4/6 inhibitors in treatment of Stage 3 cancer. One of the three CDK 4/6 inhibitors (abemacicilib/Verzenio) is now indicated for use in treatment of Stage 3 (people at high risk of recurrence due to tumour size and lymph-node involvement). It is generally given for two years in this patient group, as long as they show no evidence of metastatic recurrence. I have myself been taking it for over a year; the research indicates that it provides a significant benefit in terms of reducing recurrence risk (although perhaps not enough time has yet passed for us to know for sure). Perhaps you should consider updating your discussion on Stage 3 treatment?

[@yerbba]

Thanks for the feedback. We have talked about the CDK 4/6 inhibitors. They have their own video. Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaDMhHuLiNCjhbM. In terms of having it in the Stage III cancer video, we decided not to include them because they are for select people only, and the video was getting really long!

[@heatherdufault6578]

@@yerbba Thanks for this information; it is good to know that you felt the CDK 4/6's merited their own video. I looked at it, and it was satisfactory.

[@heatherdufault6578]

@@yerbba ...All I might say in terms of improving on it, is that you could perhaps advise women with Stage 3 B.c. to speak with their doctors about possibly going on this medication if they (and their doctors) believe that they are at high risk of recurrence (e.g. Grade 3, high Ki-67, multiple lymph-node involvement, etc.)

[@aspirant7395]

My mother has been diagnosed with T3N2M0, her2+, ER-,PR-, ki67-30% She has been given 8cycles of chemotherapy(4(ADR+Cyclo)+4(Pacli+ trastuzumab)). Chemo did work and aftr 1st two doses of chemo the tumor shrank. She has completed 5doses of trastuzumab, 12 remaining. She also had her MRM followed by RT of 15 fractions. Ma’am i just want to know whether she will be cured completely and what is the risk of relapse ?

[@yerbba]

We would certainly hope that she has been cured, and she has certainly done everything right. We don't actually know if someone is cured until many years. The key that we've learned from our patients is to live every day fully. This is easier said than done after cancer and its treatment.

[@cynthiayee5116]

Hello doctor Jeniifer ! Very informative .I was diagonsed with 0.5 cm stage 3 breast cancer in 2022 .I am estrogen and progestron positive .I have 6 cycles of chemo with all 3 of combination IV listed below Traztuzumab( herceptin) antibody which is for 18 weeks Docxatel and Carboplatan (booster) after this treatment then folowed by Radiation And lastly taking pills endocrine therapy for 5 years .Then I compltete my all of treatment . Doctor do I still need to go for SYSTEMIC THERAPY , WHEN I AM DONE WITH ALL MY TREATMENT ..can you please give me your advise .THANKYOU DOC

[@yerbba]

Thanks for writing. You have had a lot of systemic therapy already. The endocrine therapy can continue for up to 10 years. Perhaps that is what your physician meant. Sorry if this isn't helpful!

[@audreymulvey4589]

Thank you for the video, very informative. Can you please explain why the internal mammary lymph nodes are not frequently talked about in breast cancer treatment- it is usually only the axillary lymph nodes that are discussed? Thank you

[@yerbba]

It is interesting, isn't it? The main reason we don't talk about internal mammary lymph nodes is because they are difficult to access, requiring that we cut between the ribs. In addition, they are nearly always included in the radiation therapy field. I believe I've seen only one person have a recurrence in only the internal mammary node after 30 years of practice and several thousand patients.

[@susiepingleton3614]

Expanders are old school. My plastic surgeon (Plano,Texas)was incredible ! My implants made it through 27 radiation burns beautifully! I refused chemo because I consulted with 5 doctors regarding my type of cancer. So much going on with plastic surgery and patients need to be informed! My surgery reconstruction was done exactly when my surgeon removing my breasts and removal of lymph nodes 21 removed and 19 were bad! I am 4 years out. I take aromatase.

[@deborahbizzell1989]

@susiepingleton3614 hi,I was diagnosed as stage 3 three and a half years ago.I had one centimeter lump in my breast and a 1.4 centimeter lump in my axillary area.I have been on Tamoxifen and Exestemene since then.I had a negative mammogram 3 months prior to this.

[@susiepingleton3614]

@@deborahbizzell1989 I had double mastectomies 4 years ago. I refused chemo. I have been on anastrozole 1 mg for four years. I had 21 lymph nodes removed with 19 cancerous. Did you have double mastectomies? I had reconstruction same surgery. 4 years ago.

[@yerbba]

Thanks for sharing your story. Wishing you all the best.

[@mfes14]

Thank you for your amazing videos … I had a 3cm her2 +++ tumour with one lymph node involved does this then mean it would be stage two ? Also is it unusual for the sentinel node not to be positive but another lymph node is

[@yerbba]

Yes, this was a Stage II cancer based on what you've written here. Sentinel nodes are highly sensitive. Depending on how much concern there was that the nodes would be positive, a negative sentinel node may miss 5% or so of positive lymph nodes.

[@aditeesingh6123]

48 yrs female .Mam tumour size 26 mm and 5 out of 20 axillary lymph nodes positve Which stage is this? and how many chemotherapy are tequired plz reply?

[@yerbba]

With 5 positive lymph nodes, this is a Stage III (3) cancer. Chemotherapy decisions (in terms of how many treatments) will depend on whether people have other medical conditions and other features of the tumor, including the hormone receptor status and the HER2 status. Wishing you well.

[@Alexanderthegreatjones]

How are you doing?

[@yaritzafigueroa2175]

I have a 11cm tumor with multiple lymph nodes per my oncologist. He staged me 2A. I’m doing chemo first then surgery. Could he have mis-stage me?

[@yerbba]

It would be worth asking for some clarification, yes.

[@deborahbizzell1989]

I was not offered chemotherapy for my stage 3 breast cancer!

[@yerbba]

Chemotherapy is generally part of the treatment plan for Stage III cancer unless there are other serious medical problems. We wish we could be more helpful in your specific case. Around the world, there are countries that do not have the ability to safely give chemotherapy.

[@deborahbizzell1989]

I don't have any any other serious conditions,but I had chemotherapy 29 years ago,and radiation.

[@sangavik2675]

Mam, my mom had got her mammogram done. The result is grade 5 with right axillary lymphadenopathy. Does it mean the cancer had spread to the axillary lymph nodes. She is yet to get her biopsy donem

[@yerbba]

Thanks for writing. Your mother is fortunate to have you helping her out. Lymph nodes that are enlarged on physical exam are more likely to be positive, but the only way to know for certain is with either biopsy or removal of the lymph nodes.

[@mmbhc233]

Dr can you please tell is grade 3 means stage 3

[@yerbba]

Great question and a common source of confusion. Grade refers to the "personality" of the cancer under the microscope. Check out our video on tumor grade here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYbSeJ-QprCKatE. Stage refers to the extent of disease in the body: size of the tumor, status and number of lymph nodes with cancer, and whether or not cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

[@marycherkowsky7153]

Can I die from stage 3 breast cancer?

[@yerbba]

The goal of treatment is cure, and many people are cured. Regardless of the stage of disease, some people do have recurrence and die from breast cancer. This can be hard to read, we're sure. Please take good care of yourself and keep coming back. We have a lot of videos that may be helpful.

[@queencoins9913]

Mine huge I thought was my implant 😢

[@yerbba]

If you have any questions or if there's anything specific you'd like to see in our videos, feel free to let us know.

[@queencoins9913]

Chemo the want do

[@yerbba]

It's understandable that such news can be overwhelming. We are sending the absolute best wishes as you move forward through your treatment.

[@queencoins9913]

Big knot under my arm

[@yerbba]

Thank you for watching and sharing your experience. Come back and let us know how you're doing.

[@assmullet]

Watch at x2 speed and you’re welcome lol she just talks slow as hell and makes the video like an hour long

[@yerbba]

Thanks for the feedback. We’ll keep your comment in mind for future videos. We try to make our videos as accessible as possible to a wide variety of learning styles.

[@hananessiblla8494]

I have t1c N1 PN1a (f)M0 can u say me please wish siege is this 😢

[@yerbba]

A T1cN1M0 breast cancer generally describes Stage II (2)