Evaluation and Staging of Breast Carcinoma

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 2.3 million cases (11.5%) among women and resulting in 670,000 deaths according to GLOBOCAN 2022 data. The female gender is the primary risk factor, with 99% of cases occurring in women and only 0.5–1% in men. It generally presents as a painless lump in the breast that gradually enlarges to become noticeable. All women with a suspicious breast lump should undergo a “TRIPLE TEST” consisting of a physical examination by an experienced clinician, breast imaging—such as bilateral mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI as appropriate—and histopathology, ideally through FNAC or core biopsy. This chapter will provide a detailed overview of the presentation, evaluation, and staging of breast cancer.