Stage 2 breast cancer is an early stage of breast cancer where the cancer is either in the breast or in the nearby lymph nodes or both. Stage 2 can be divided into two subcategories: 2A and 2B, depending on the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Stage 2A means that the cancer is either not found in the breast or the breast cancer is 2 centimeters (cm) or less, and cancer cells are found in 1 to 3 lymph nodes in the armpit or in the lymph nodes near the breastbone. Alternatively, the cancer is larger than 2 cm but not larger than 5 cm and there is no cancer in the lymph nodes. Stage 2B means that the tumor is between 2 and 5 centimeters and has spread to less than four axillary lymph nodes.

Surgery is usually the main treatment for stage 2 breast cancer, and it may involve either breast-conserving surgery (also known as a lumpectomy) or a total mastectomy, which removes the entire breast and related structures. Other treatments may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. The specific treatment plan will depend on the individual case and will be determined by the healthcare team.