Breast cancer spreads mainly to axillary lymph nodes
Axillary lymph node status is considered as one of the important prognostic factor
Number of lymph nodes involved and the size of lymphnode involved influences the prognosis
To determine the axillary lymph node involvement “Sentinel Lymph node” biopsy is helpful. One or two sentinel lymph nodes are identified by using coloured or radiotracer dye which is injected into the tumor. If the sentinel lymphnode biopsy is negative then the complete axillary dissection can be avoided
Distant metastasis occurs via hematogenous route or internal mammary nodes
Distant metastasis occurs to bone, visceral organs and brain.
