Breast cancer stageClassificationSurgeryRadiationEndocrine therapyImmunotherapyChemotherapy
0In situLumpectomy or mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsyYes, if lumpectomyEstrogen receptor and ductal carcinoma in situ should receive five years of endocrine therapy:
 Tamoxifen if premenopausal
 Tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor if postmenopausal
Not commonly offeredNot commonly offered
I and IIEarly invasiveCommonly lumpectomy plus sentinel lymph node biopsy; mastectomy may be needed for larger tumors or because of patient choiceYes, if lumpectomy or high-risk, node-positive disease with mastectomyHormone receptor–positive breast cancer should be treated with up to 10 years of endocrine therapy
If premenopausal:
 Five years tamoxifen
 Additional three to five years tamoxifen if still premenopausal
 Additional five years tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor if now postmenopausal
If postmenopausal: up to 10 years of tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor
ERBB2-positive breast cancer should receive one year of trastuzumab (Herceptin)
Certain high-risk cancers may benefit from the addition of pertuzumab (Perjeta) or neratinib (Nerlynx)
May be appropriate for hormone receptor–positive, ERBB2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancer of any stage; molecular testing helps guide addition of chemotherapy to the treatment regimen
IIILocally advancedCommonly mastectomy plus axillary lymph node dissectionYes, if lumpectomy or high-risk, node-positive disease with mastectomy
IVMetastaticMastectomy or lumpectomy may be appropriate when tumor burden impacts quality of lifeRadiation may be appropriate when tumor burden impacts quality of lifeEndocrine therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy may be offered to target their appropriate breast cancer subtypes with the goal of managing symptoms, extending life, and preserving quality of life