Stage II breast cancer means one of the following: cancer is no larger than 2 centimeters but has spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit (the axillary lymph nodes); cancer is between 2 and 5 centimeters (1 to 2 inches) and may have spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit; cancer is larger than 5 centimeters (2 inches) but has not spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit.