What is the pathological stage group for a T2 N0 M0, G2 breast carcinoma?

In breast cancer staging, the classification of cancer is based on the TNM system, where T signifies tumor size and extent, N refers to regional lymph node involvement, and M indicates the presence of metastasis. The grade (G) represents how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope, related to how likely the tumor is to grow and spread.

For a T2 N0 M0, G2 breast carcinoma:

• T2 indicates that the tumor is larger than 2 cm but less than 5 cm in greatest dimension.

• N0 means there is no regional lymph node involvement.

• M0 indicates no distant metastasis.

According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, for breast cancer, a clinical or pathological stage is determined by these classifications. In the current AJCC 8th edition guidelines, a T2 N0 M0 breast carcinoma corresponds to stage IIA.

This classification shows that the cancer is present but has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or distant sites, categorizing it as early-stage breast cancer. Specifically, Stage IIA is defined for cases where the primary tumor is between 2 cm and 5 cm with no nodal involvement.

Thus, the correct pathological stage group for