Level of disease
The level of axillary spread indicates how far proximally along the recognised chain of lymph nodes a breast cancer has spread. It assumes that spread is linear between successive nodal groups. However, metastasis may seemingly jump an intervening group.
The levels of axillary nodes are with further spread:
- level I:
- lateral to pectoralis minor
- spread limited to these nodes has a 5-year survival rate of >60%
- level II:
- deep to pectoralis minor
- level II nodal involvement 5-year survival >30%
- level III:
- medial to pectoralis minor
- level III involvement 5-year survival >5%
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