Stage is the extent of the disease.
The doctor may order x-250rays and blood tests. The doctor may also do special exams of the liver, lungs or bones because breast cancer may spread to these areas. Palpation, mammography, ultrasonography aspiration or needle biopsy, surgical biopsy. Benign lumps often feel different from cancerous ones. Mammography X-rays of the breast can give the doctor important information about a breast lump.