stage 3 – the cancer is larger and may have spread to the surrounding tissues and/or the lymph nodes (or "glands", part of the immune system) stage 4 – the cancer has spread from where it started to at least 1 other body organ, also known as "secondary" or "metastatic" cancer.
Is Stage 3 cancer curable?
These categories are usually determined by the size and number of tumors and how far the cancer has spread. There are effective treatments for many stage 3 cancers. Some stage 3 cancers can be cured, but they are more likely to return after going away.
How long can you survive stage 3 cancer?
Life expectancy and survival rates for stage 3 breast cancer are improving all the time. The current 5-year survival rates for stage 3 breast cancer are 86% for females and 83% for males. However, many factors can influence a person's life expectancy after a breast cancer diagnosis.