ALTERED LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE AFTER LYMPHADENECTOMY OR RADIOTHERAPY OF THE AXILLA IN PATIENTS WITH BREAST-CANCER

The incidental occurrence of lymph node metastasis in the contralatera l axilla after previous treatment of breast cancer raises the question of whether these metastases derive from the original ipsilateral canc er or from a clinically occult contralateral cancer. A lymphoscintigra phic study was performed to investigate regional lymphatic drainage pa tterns of the breast and chest wall before and after axillary dissecti on or radiotherapy.