Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women. The progression from early to advanced stages mainly includes the following phases:

1. Early Stage: In the early stage of breast cancer, there are usually no obvious symptoms or signs. Some patients may find a painless lump in the breast, which feels hard and has limited mobility. A few patients may also experience symptoms such as nipple discharge, nipple retraction, or itching and erosion of the nipple skin.

2. Locally advanced stage: As the disease progresses, the tumor may invade surrounding tissues and lymph nodes, resulting in a larger local mass in the breast, accompanied by symptoms such as pain, redness, swelling, and ulceration. Additionally, lymphadenopathy may occur in the armpit, supraclavicular fossa, or neck.

3. Distant metastasis: If breast cancer is not treated promptly, it may metastasize distantly. The most common sites of metastasis are bones, lungs, liver, and brain. Patients may experience symptoms such as bone pain, cough, chest pain, liver area pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

The progression of breast cancer varies among individuals; some patients may experience distant metastasis at an early stage, while others may only develop symptoms in advanced stages. Therefore, regular breast examinations and early detection and treatment are crucial.