THE SIZE OF A MICROMETASTASIS IN THE AXILLA IN BREAST-CANCER - A STUDY OF NODAL TUMOR-LOAD RELATED TO PROGNOSIS

Much has been written on micrometastases to the axilla in breast cance r but there is no consensus as to their size. In this study three leve ls of nodal tumour-load are defined following measurement of nodal tum our area on histology. The two cut-points described are both of clinic al interest. The smallest deposits, up to 0.0001 cm(2), include emboli c growth on the afferent side of the node, which is, as reported previ ously, of poor prognosis. In such cases post-operative prognosis appro aches that in the ''node-positive'', here defined as cases with an axi llary tumour-load of 0.5 cm(2) or more. Between these two groups is a collection of cases, 40% of the total series, with a prognosis similar to the node-negative. It is suggested that the deposits in this inter mediate group should be termed micrometastases, the high risk cases wi th embolic growth reported as such and those with larger deposits as n ode-positive.