What are the different progressions of breast cancer?

Early-stage patients are those with small tumors and no evidence of lymph node involvement. The most favorable tumors also are slow-growing (as measured by grade and several other biologic parameters), with positive hormone receptors.

Patients with locally advanced disease include those who have large tumors, involvement of the breast skin or chest wall, and/or extensive lymph node involvement.

Patients with distant metastases are generally incurable. However, as opposed to many other types of metastatic cancer, breast cancer that's spread to distant sites in the body doesn't necessarily mean that the patient will die in the following months. In fact, many patients with metastatic breast cancer who respond well to systemic treatment may live for many years, often with a good to excellent quality of life.