Definition
One speaks of lymph node involvement (or lymph node metastases) in breast cancer when cancer cells have spread from the tumor via the lymph channels and settled in the lymph nodes. Whether or not lymph nodes are affected is decisive for the treatment of the cancer and the prognosis. For this reason, one or more lymph nodes are usually removed during the surgical removal of the tumor in order to subsequently examine them under the microscope for malignant tumor cells.
The most frequent lymph node metastases in breast cancer are located in the armpits and below and above the clavicles (axillary, supraclavicular and infraclavicular lymph nodes). In some cases, the affected lymph nodes are already palpable through the skin as enlarged, coarse and immovable nodes. For this reason, one or more lymph nodes are usually removed during the surgical removal of the tumor in order to subsequently examine them under the microscope for malignant tumor cells. The most frequent lymph node metastases in breast cancer are located in the armpits and below and above the clavicles (axillary, supraclavicular and infraclavicular lymph nodes). In some cases, the affected lymph nodes are already palpable through the skin as enlarged, coarse and immovable nodes.
How often are the lymph nodes affected?
How frequently the lymph nodes are affected in breast cancer at the time of diagnosis depends mainly on the time of tumor discovery. In early stages and with smaller tumors, lymph node involvement is rather rare and the chances of recovery are very good. If, on the other hand, the tumor has had a long time to spread unnoticed, lymph node involvement often occurs in larger tumors.
The type of tumor (histological growth pattern, degree of differentiation, tumor genetics, receptor status) also influences the spread of tumor cells into the lymph nodes. In general, the later the tumor is detected, the more frequent the lymph node infestation. For this reason, health insurance companies cover the biennial mammography for the early detection of cancer in women over 50 years of age. In general, the later the tumor is detected, the more frequently lymph nodes are affected. For this reason, health insurance companies cover the biennial mammography for early cancer detection for women over 50 years of age.
