[The prognostic significance of axillary node metastasis in breast cancer]

Axillary lymph node metastasis information is the most important for estimating prognosis in breast cancer patients. Using the clearing method, we mapped the lymph nodes to observe the way in which axillary metastasis progressed. The results revealed different kinds of progression; rank type, skip type, defense type, diffusely scattered type and so on. Each is correlated with a favorable or poor prognosis. We then attempted to stratify quantitatively the axillary lymph node metastasis condition using the standard 10-year survival rate for each group. The number of lymph node metastases and invasion rate (no. of lymph node metastases/no. of reference lymph nodes) were employed as stratification factors. This information is helpful in selecting post-operative adjuvant therapy for the breast cancer patient.