October 22, 2022 Issue, Page 17 of 22

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October 22, 2022 5B Breaking down the FIGHTING stages of breast cancer vy Bie. h a 3 TOGETHER UT} "} ij Once a person is diagnosed with T3: Tumor is more than 5 cm nodes (with at least one area of VN Wy cancer, his or her physician will try across. cancer spread greater than 2mm), to determine how far the illness T4: Tumor is of any size growing and to the internal mammary has progressed, including whether into the chest wall or skin. lymph nodes on a sentinel lymph or not it has spread to other areas Nategories node biopsy; to the lymph nodes | | of the body. This effort is known N in the staging system identi- above the collarbone on the same as “staging” Each cancer has its fies if the cancer has spread to the side of the cancer with at least one unique staging characteristics, lymph nodes near the breast, and area of cancer spread greater than and breast cancer is no different. ifso, how many. 2mm. ‘The stage of the cancer ultimate- NX: Nearby lymph nodes cannot M categories ly refers to how much cancer is be assessed, which can happen if M indicates if the cancer has present in the body, indicates the they were previously removed. spread to distant organs. American Cancer Society. Doc- NO: Cancer has not spread to near- MO: No distant spread is present tors treating breast cancer ad- by lymph nodes. on X-rays or other imaging and here to the TNM staging system, 'N1: Cancer has spread to one to physical tests. which is overseen by the Ameri- three axillary (underarm) lymph M1: Cancer has spread to other can Joint Committee on Cancer. node(s), and/or cancer is found in ‘This staging uses both clinical and internal mammary lymph nodes organs,liver or notably the brain, bones, lungs as determined by a pathological (surgical) systems for (those near the breast bone) on a biopsy or testing. breast cancer staging. Pathologi- sentinel lymph node biopsy. Note that this staging system also cal staging may be more accurate N2: Cancer has spread to four to because it examines tissues taken nine lymph nodes under the arm. uses sub-stages within each cat- during surgery or a biopsy. One or more area of cancer spread egory, which further breaks down T categories is larger than 2 millimeters (mm). breast cancer staging into more T in the staging system refers to 3: Cancer has spread to any of characteristics and combinations. the tumor’s size and whether it the following: 10 or more axil- ‘The ACS says there are so many has spread to the skin or chest wall lary lymph nodes with area of possibilities that can go into stag- under the breast. Higher numbers cancer spread greater than 2 mm; ing that two women at the same refer to larger tumors and greater to lymph nodes under the col- breast cancer stage may have dif- spread. larbone, with at least one area of ferent experiences. ‘TX: A primary tumor cannot be cancer spread greater than 2 mm; Any sign of an abnormality in the assessed. cancer found in at least one axil- breast or body merits a consulta- TO: No evidence of primary tumor. lary lymph node (with at least one tion with a doctor, who can deter- Ti: Tumor is 2 centimeters (cm) area of cancer spread greater than mine if breast cancer is present. or less across. 2mm) and has enlarged the inter- Lower numbers on TNM staging ‘2: Tumor is more than 2 cm but nal mammary lymph nodes; can- are desired, and can be achieved not more than 5 cm across. cer in four or more axillary lymph by catching breast cancer early. “me \ 1210 S Main St, — Elk City, OK 73644 580-225-0100 ae f URNITURE Bieash Chet oa HOW OOM 2001 SOUTH MAIN ELK CITY, OKLAHOMA (580)225-4006 OR (800)925-4006 terrysfurnitureshowroom.com Monday Cash or Check Thru 723 S. Merritt Road Elk City, OX 73644 CUDD we PRESSURE CONTROL | | 980-225-6922 Special Financing Saturday 9-6