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After the biopsy specimen has been pathologically examined and it is determined that you have breast cancer, your physician or surgeon will stage the cancer. Breast cancer is staged according to size of the tumor, and lymph nodes and other organ involvement. Another helpful test result performed on the biopsied tissue is the hormone receptor assay. This test indicates whether breast cancer cells are responsive to female hormones that may encourage the tumor to grow. Knowing the pathology cell type, the hormone receptor status, and whether the breast cancer is Stage I-IV will direct treatment decisions.