> Factors that Affect Treatment Decisions and Prognosis
If a biopsy finds cancer, more tests are done on the tumor and lymph nodes that were removed. These tests assess factors, which help determine your prognosis. They also identify factors that help guide the kind of treatment that will be most effective for the type of breast cancer you have. Some tests can be done on the small amount of tissue removed during a needle biopsy, while others require a larger amount of tissue removed during surgery.
Which factors best determine prognosis and predict response to treatment is under constant study. Only after a great deal of research has shown a factor to be accurate and reliable does it become a part of standard practice. Figure 4.2 lists the factors that are commonly assessed, plus some of those under study and those currently in disfavor.
Three factors—lymph node status, tumor size and the presence or absence of metastases—combine to classify the stage of your breast cancer. Ductal carcinoma in situ is considered stage 0 breast cancer and has the best chance for recovery. There are four main stages of invasive breast cancer (stages I-IV). Lower stages are related to a better prognosis. Learn more about staging.
Updated 10/26/09
