BREAST CANCER WITH AXILLARY LYMPH NODE METASTASIS

Among 150 cases of breast cancer, metastasis to axillary nodes was found in 60.67%. Factors affecting the metastasis was analized and it was found that the tumor size and the location were of significance statistically. Other factors such as the age, the course of the development of the tumor, pathologic types and the activity of tumor were not important for metastasis.
Generally, the larger the tumor, the more it metastasized to the lymph nodes. The rate of noduler metastasis of the lateral tumor was higher than that of the medial one. Metastasis in inferior-medial tumor was not found. The removal of axillary lymph nodes in such cases may be therefore unnecessary. Mammary resection combined with radiation over the region of lymph flow was considered to be enough. Comparing the clinical data and pathologic findings, it was demonstrated that the rates of metastasis to the palpable lymph nodes and to those not felt clinically were 70% and 46.67% respectively. It appears that time of biopsy affected the demonstration of metastasis, and when the biopsy was done 1—3 days before operation no metastasis has been found. Metastasis from tumors without adhesion to surounding tissues such as pectoralis major and minor was not found. Under this condition, modified radical mastectomy with radiotherapy may be the treatment of choice.