[Internal mammary lymph node metastases and parasternal recurrences in breast cancer]

The observed incidence (about 5%) of parasternal recurrence of breast cancer treated with radical mastectomy, is much lower than the rate (20-30%) of histological involvement of internal mammary lymph node examined by extended radical mastectomy. There are several explanations for this observation, but the correct reason remains unexplained. So the incidence of parasternal recurrences in cases of breast cancer autopsied should be examined more meticulously. Little mention has been made of clinically detectable parasternal recurrences in Japan, since they appears infrequently and have not been well documented. Our experience and present guidelines as to detection and management of parasternal recurrences are reviewed.