Breast Cancer Progression and Staging - Medical Animation
This animation may only be used in support of a single legal proceeding and for no other purpose. Read our License Agreement for details. To license this image for other purposes, click here.
Breast Cancer Progression and Staging - Medical Animation
MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: The staging of breast cancer refers to the extent of the disease. The cancer stage is based on several factors, including the size of the tumor, if any lymph nodes are involved, if the cancer is invasive or non-invasive, and if the cancer has spread to areas beyond the breast. Stage 0 is considered a non-invasive breast cancer. In this there is no evidence that the cancer cells have spread into neighboring breast tissue beyond the duct or lobule. Stage I is considered an early stage of invasive breast cancer. When measured the tumor is no more than two centimeters in diameter, and there is no evidence that the cancer cells have spread beyond the breast. Stage II is divided into subcategories of IIA and IIB. Stage IIA is invasive breast cancer where the tumor is either a maximum of two centimeters in diameter and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm, or the tumors between two and five centimeters in diameter but has not spread to any lymph nodes. Stage IIB is a little different in that the tumor is either between two and five centimeters and has spread to underarm lymph nodes. Or the tumor is larger than five centimeters but has not spread to the underarm lymph nodes. Stage III is considered a locally advanced cancer and it is also divided into subcategories of IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC. There are two main scenarios that can occur with stage IIIA breast cancer. One, where the tumor is larger than five centimeters in diameter but it has spread to underarm lymph nodes that are growing into each other forming clumps. The cancer may also have spread to the lymph nodes near the breastbone. The second scenario for stage IIIA is very similar with the exception that the tumor is larger than five centimeters in diameter, and that the underarm lymph nodes are not adhered to one another or other tissues. Unlike the other stages, in stage IIIB the tumor may be any size and has spread into the skin of the breast or chest wall. This stage may also include lumps in the skin of the breast or swelling of the breast. In stage IIIC the tumor may also be of any size but it has also spread to lymph node areas above or below the clavicle, the chest wall, and/or the skin of the breast. Stage IV is considered distant metastatic cancer, meaning the cancer has spread to other organs and parts of the body.
"This past year, your company prepared three medical illustrations for our cases; two in which we received six figure awards; one in which we received a substantial seven figure award. I believe in large part, the amounts obtained were due to the vivid illustrations of my clients' injuries and the impact on the finder of fact."
Donald W. Marcari
Marcari Russotto & Spencer, P.C.
Chesapeake, VA
"I just wanted to let you know that after several days on trial, I settled
[my client's] construction accident case for $4.5 million. Immediately after
the jury was discharged, I spoke with several jurors who told me that they
really appreciated the medical illustrations for their clarity in dealing
with [my client's] devastating injuries. They also expressed their gratitude
in being able to read from a distance all of the notations without
difficulty. Obviously, the boards were visually persuasive. I am certain
that this contributed to our successful result."
Michael Gunzburg, Esq.
Attorney at Law.
New York, NY
"The Doe Report is a visual feast of medical information for personal injury
lawyers."
Aaron R. Larson, Esq. President ExpertLaw.com
"I wanted to take some time out to let you know what a wonderful job you did
with the 'collapsed lung/fractured rib' illustrations. They were both
detailed and accurate. My medical expert was comfortable working with them
and he spent at least an hour explaining to the jury the anatomy of the
lungs, the ribs and the injuries depicted in the illustrations. Needless to
say, the jury was riveted to the doctor during his testimony.
The jury returned a verdict for $800,000.00 and I'm sure we would not have
done so well if not for the visualizations we were able to put forth with
your assistance. Lastly, my special thanks to Alice [Senior Medical
Illustrator] who stayed late on Friday night and patiently dealt with my
last minute revisions."
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.