Is grade 2 breast cancer serious? A low grade number (grade 1) usually means the cancer is slower-growing and less likely to spread. A high grade number (grade 3) means a faster-growing cancer that’s more likely to spread. An intermediate grade number (grade 2) means the cancer is growing faster than a grade 1 cancer but slower than a grade 3 cancer.
Is grade 2 breast cancer curable? Stage 2 breast cancer is very treatable and the overall outlook is good. As with most types of cancer, the earlier your cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome.
What is the survival rate of grade 2 breast cancer? Stage 2 breast cancer is an early stage wherein the cancer has not spread beyond the breast and its surrounding lymph nodes. By some estimates, the average 5-year relative survival rate for stage 2 breast cancer is around 93%.
Do I need chemo for grade 2 breast cancer? Systemic therapy (chemo and other drugs)
Systemic therapy (drugs that travel to almost every part of the body) is recommended for some women with stage II breast cancer. Some systemic therapies are given before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy), and others are given after surgery (adjuvant therapy).
Is grade 2 breast cancer serious? – Additional Questions
How fast does a grade 2 breast cancer grow?
Each division takes about 1 to 2 months, so a detectable tumor has likely been growing in the body for 2 to 5 years. Generally speaking, the more cells divide, the bigger the tumor grows.
How long can you live after stage 2 breast cancer?
Breast cancer-specific survival rates
| Breast Cancer Stage* |
5-Year Breast Cancer-Specific Survival Rate |
| I |
98-100% |
| II |
90-99% |
| III |
66-98% |
| Adapted from Weiss et al. [81] |
What kind of breast cancer does not need chemo?
The new findings suggest that at least 70 percent of women with HR-positive, HER2-negative, axillary lymph node-negative breast cancer—those with low scores and most of those with mid-range scores—can safely avoid chemotherapy.
At what stage of breast cancer is chemotherapy used?
Typically, if you have early-stage breast cancer, you’ll undergo chemotherapy treatments for three to six months, but your doctor will adjust the timing to your circumstances. If you have advanced breast cancer, treatment may continue beyond six months.
Can you have breast cancer and not need chemo?
A federally funded study has found that many women with the most common type of early stage breast cancer likely do not need chemotherapy after surgery.
At what stage of cancer is chemotherapy used?
Usually, chemotherapy may be used for all stages in most cancer types. Chemotherapy is a type of medicine or combination of medications that is used to treat or kill cancer cells. Adjuvant therapy: Chemotherapy may be used after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence (coming back).
Can breast cancer be cured completely?
There is no “natural” cure for breast cancer. Medical treatments are necessary to remove, shrink, or slow the growth of tumors. That said, you may use certain complementary therapies and lifestyle changes alongside standard medical treatments to help: control symptoms of breast cancer.
At what stage of breast cancer the breast is removed?
Larger tumors in later stages can spread to muscle, skin and lymph nodes around the breast. Surgery for stage three and stage four cancer generally requires removing the entire breast and nearby tissue affected by the cancer.
What is worse radiation or chemo?
The radiation beams change the DNA makeup of the tumor, causing it to shrink or die. This type of cancer treatment has fewer side effects than chemotherapy since it only targets one area of the body.
Does chemo shorten your life?
During the 3 decades, the proportion of survivors treated with chemotherapy alone increased from 18% in 1970-1979 to 54% in 1990-1999, and the life expectancy gap in this chemotherapy-alone group decreased from 11.0 years (95% UI, 9.0-13.1 years) to 6.0 years (95% UI, 4.5-7.6 years).
Do you lose hair with radiation?
Radiation therapy can also cause hair loss on the part of the body that is being treated. Hair loss is called alopecia. Talk with your health care team to learn if the cancer treatment you will be receiving causes hair loss.
What are 5 effects of radiation?
Radiation Effects on Humans
| Dose (rem) |
Effects |
| 5-20 |
Possible late effects; possible chromosomal damage. |
| 20-100 |
Temporary reduction in white blood cells. |
| 100-200 |
Mild radiation sickness within a few hours: vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue; reduction in resistance to infection. |
What can you not do during radiation treatment?
Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, and other hard, dry foods such as chips or pretzels. It’s also best to avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your care team can recommend nutrient-based oral care solutions if you are experiencing mucositis or mouth sores caused by cancer treatment.
Is radiation treatment painful?
Does radiation therapy hurt? No, radiation therapy does not hurt while it is being given. But the side effects that people may get from radiation therapy can cause pain and discomfort.
How long does it take to recover from breast radiation treatment?
Skin reactions from radiation therapy are usually strongest 1 or 2 weeks after you finish radiation therapy and then start to heal. It often takes 3 to 4 weeks for skin reactions to heal. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your radiation oncologist or nurse.
How long will my breast hurt after radiation?
The soreness usually goes away within 2 to 4 weeks of ending the treatment. Towards the end of the radiotherapy, the skin might break down, especially under the breast. Your nurse will use special dressings to cover and protect the area. The area usually heals up over a couple of weeks.
Is breast radiation painful?
The radiation treatment procedure is painless, but it may cause some skin discomfort over time. When treating early-stage breast cancer, radiation therapy is often given after surgery. Surgery is done to remove the cancer, and radiation is done to destroy any cancer cells that may remain after surgery.
