Invasive Ductal CA : Tumor Size

Comments:
Tumor Size: The gross measurement of tumor size is one of the most important prognostic indicators in invasive ductal carcinoma. The size can range from 0.2 cm to more than 10 cm in advanced cases. With increasing tumor size, there is rising frequency of axillary nodal metastasis and decrease in survival.

In the context of TNM staging system, for example with T1 breast cancers (< 2 cm in diameter), when the tumors are stratified in 5 mm increments, the frequency of axillary lymph node metastases has been found to be directly correlated with tumor size as follows: T1a (0 to 0.5 cm), 3%; T1b (0.6 to 1.0 cm), 10%; 1.1 to 1.5 cm, 21%; and 1.6 to 2.0 cm, 35%. Image courtesy of Dr. Montemor Netto, Brazil; Used with permission.