Stage III breast cancer is divided into stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC. In stage IIIC, there may be no sign of cancer in the breast or the tumor may be any size and may have spread to the chest wall and/or the skin of the breast. Also, cancer (1) has spread to lymph nodes above or below the collarbone and (2) may have spread to axillary (under the arm) lymph nodes or to lymph nodes near the breastbone. In operable stage IIIC, the cancer is found (1) in ten or more axillary lymph nodes; or (2) in the lymph nodes below the collarbone; or (3) in axillary lymph nodes and in lymph nodes near the breastbone. In inoperable stage IIIC, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes above the collarbone.