Staging guidelines for cancer recommend routine blood tests before surgery or systemic therapy. A CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and bone scan may be considered for tumors larger than 5 cm, positive axillary nodes, aggressive biology, or signs/symptoms of metastases based on clinical or lab findings. Further imaging helps identify whether the cancer has spread beyond the breast.

1. ESMO guidelines for staging
•FBC, LFT, Calcium, U/E is recommended before surgery and systemic
(neo)adjuvant therapy
•A CT scan of the chest/abdomen and bone scan can be considered:
1. clinically positive axillary nodes,
2. large tumours (e.g. ≥5 cm),
3. aggressive biology or
4. clinical signs, symptoms or
5. laboratory values suggesting the presence of metastases