|
|
Radiation to the
Lymph Nodes
Generally the breast is treated from side to side (called tangential fields) and as noted on the picture on the left this will include most of the lower axillary nodes. If a lymph node dissection has been performed and the nodes were all negative there is no need to give any extra radiation to these nodes. On the other hand, radiation to the nodes will control the cancer as effectively as performing surgery (see studies here). |
|
|
If the cancer has spread to
the nodes in the axilla then there is a risk that is has spread further to
the nodes higher up in the axilla or around the collar bone
(supraclavicular nodes). So radiation is then given to these nodes. For a
more detailed discussion of the node techniques go
here.
see NCCN guidelines here. They state that if the nodes are negative to radiate the whole breast only, if 1-3 nodes are (+) they say consider radiation to the the supraclavicular and internal mammary nodes and if 4 or more nodes are (+) that state that the radiation should include the supraclavicular nodes and consider internal mammary |
