[Internal mammary lymph nodes in early stage breast cancer]

Internal mammary nodes (IMN) in early stage breast cancer are a still unresolved issue. Their involvement has a crucial impact on the staging as well as prognosis of the breast cancer patients. The reported incidence of IMN drainage in the process of detecting the axillary sentinel node is about 20% depending on the tracer application technique. However, the IMN drainage itself apparently has no effect on the prognosis even when the nodes are left without biopsy or radiotherapy. The major predictive factor for the presence of metastases in IMN is the presence of metastases in axillary lymph nodes. Studies evaluating adjuvant IMN radiotherapy have shown inconsistent outcomes. The generally accepted trend towards less extensive locoregional procedures in breast cancer treatment will apparently affect the IMN, as well, given that new systemic treatment will probably compensate for uncertainties in IMN management.Key words: breast cancer internal mammary nodes radiotherapy.