Final answer:
In breast cancer staging, a T1 rating indicates a small tumor of 2 cm or less, with no spread to lymph nodes or distant organs, meaning the cancer is localized.
Step-by-step explanation:
In breast cancer staging, a rating of T1 indicates that the patient has a small tumor. This classification falls under the 'T' category of the TNM staging system, where 'T' denotes the size and extent of the main tumor ('T1' typically means a tumor that is 2 centimeters or less in its greatest dimension). It does not necessarily imply that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or other organs, which would involve the 'N' and 'M' categories of the staging system, respectively. Thus, a T1 classification would have no evidence of metastasis; instead, the cancer is localized.
Localized Cancer is limited to the place where it started, with no sign that it has spread beyond the local tissue. In contrast, Regional Cancer involves spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues, which would be categorized differently in the staging system.
The correct answer to the question, "In breast cancer staging, the patient was rated T1. This means", is C. the patient has a small tumor.