Carcinoma of the breast has several risk factors including age, family history, and benign breast diseases. Pathologically, it can be ductal or lobular carcinoma in situ or invasive. It commonly spreads to lymph nodes, bones, liver, lungs and brain. Staging involves tumor size, nodal involvement and metastasis. Investigations include imaging, biopsies and markers. Treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone and targeted therapies depending on stage and biomarkers. Prognosis depends on stage, with 5 year survival rates from 90% in stage 1 to 20% in stage 4 metastatic disease.