The table below shows how your doctor uses the TNM system to find out your cancer stage. ^{[28] [29]}

To use the table, you find your TNM classification in each of the three columns and compare it with the stages on the left. Stages with lower numbers represent cancers that may not have spread as far and may need less treatment.

For example, if your TNM classification is T1N1M0, your cancer would be stage 2A. Early invasive breast cancer will fall into any of the categories that start with 2. Locally advanced breast cancer would be stage 3B or 3C.

You can find definitions for the medical terms used in the table at the bottom of the page.

• Ductal carcinoma in situ: A non-invasive cancer that has stayed in the spot where it started growing and hasn't spread further.

• Inflammatory breast cancer: This is a rare, invasive cancer.

• Internal mammary lymph nodes: These lymph nodes are under the central part of the breastbone.

• Metastases: This is cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

• Movable lymph nodes: This means that your nodes are not matted together by the cancer.

• Non-movable lymph nodes: This means that your nodes are matted together by the cancer.

• Primary tumour: This is the original lump or group of cancer cells in your breast.

• Regional lymph nodes: In breast cancer, this refers to lymph nodes under your armpit on the same side of your body as the breast cancer.

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