During a well-woman exam, a lump was palpated in the patient’s right breast. The patient undergoes further testing, which reveals a tumor that is 40 mm in diameter. A right axillary lymph node is determined to be involved but no other lymph nodes or distant metastases are noted. The lymph node is ipsilateral to the tumor and is movable. Which of the following describes the stage of breast cancer in this patient?

Question

During a well-woman exam, a lump was palpated in the patient&rsquo;s right breast. The patient undergoes further testing, which reveals a tumor that is 40 mm in diameter. A right axillary lymph node is determined to be involved but no other lymph nodes or distant metastases are noted.  The lymph node is ipsilateral to the tumor and is movable.  Which of the following describes the stage of breast cancer in this patient?

Accepted Answer

Stage II. A breast tumor between 20 and 50 mm in diameter with an ipsilateral movable axillary lymph node without distant metastases is considered to be stage II, specifically stage IIB. Stage I tumors are smaller without lymph node involvement. Stage III and IV tumors are the same size or larger with the involvement of multiple lymph nodes and evidence of distant metastasis.

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