MICROMETASTASES TO THE AXILLA IN BREAST-CANCER - THEIR SIZE AND SEASON OF PRESENTATION

In a series of 1,069 breast cancer patients there were no significant differences in the numbers of node-negative or node-positive cases und ergoing operation in the two halves of the year, This held also for ca ses with nodal micrometastases (0.2 cm(2) or less). There were two his tological types, Their distribution according to season was similar. U sing the mean tumour area those presenting in the first half of the ye ar were smaller than the others (p < 0.001), and more cases were under 0.000 cm(2) (P < 0.005), In these cases the tumour cells tended to be in the capsular lymphatics and subcapsular sinus, In keeping with the ir histology, deaths were also more frequent than with those presentin g in the second half of the year, in which the micrometastases were la rger and had usually infiltrated the nodal lymphoid tissue. Thus the m etastatic process in the primary appears to be active in the first par t of the year when the smallest of the micrometastases are found enter ing the nodes. This may be a reflection of the growth form of the prim ary.