Importance of controlling the regional draining lymph nodes in breast cancer

A major issue in the treatment of breast cancer deals with local control of disease and the necessity for removing microscopically involved lymph nodes. Many radiation oncologists are looking to the parasternal lymphatics as possible renewed justification for postoperative radiation. It is concluded that prospectively designed studies are needed to assay the importance of the internal mammary nodes and their adequate control. Lymphoscintigraphy may offer a method of evaluating these nodes without radical surgery.