Size of the Breast Cancer
Size indicates how large across the tumor is at its widest point. Doctors measure cancer in millimeters (1 mm = .04 inch) or centimeters (1 cm = .4 inch). Size is used to help determine the stage of the breast cancer.
Size doesn’t tell the whole story, though. All of the cancer’s characteristics are important. A small cancer can be aggressive while a larger cancer is not — or it could be the other way around.
Expert Quote
"Size matters when it comes to breast cancer, but size is only one of the personality features on the list. You can have a small cancer that behaves like a bully, or a large cancer that is mild-mannered."
-- Marisa Weiss, M.D., chief medical officer, Breastcancer.org
Your Guide to the Breast Cancer Pathology Report is an on-the-go reference booklet you can fill out with your doctor or nurse to keep track of the results of your pathology report. Order a free booklet by mail or download the PDF of the booklet to print it at home.
