Sometimes, if surgery is not possible right away or at all, the cancer will be given a clinical stage instead. This is based on the results of a physical exam, biopsy, and imaging tests. The clinical stage is used to help plan treatment. Sometimes, though, the cancer has spread further than the clinical stage estimates, and may not predict the patient’s outlook as accurately as a pathologic stage. This Podcasts discusses how the clinical pathology is used to determine the immediate treatment path and ultimately the path of either lumpectomy or mastectomy. Details on types of biopsies are explained. How I reached my decision for a double mastectomy is explianed.