J Breast Dis.  2020 Dec;8(2):139-142. 10.14449/jbd.2020.8.2.139.

Ipsilateral Breast Tumor Recurrence with Metachronous Contralateral Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis after Breast-Conserving Surgery with Axillary Lymph Node Dissection

• Kang JG
• Kim YA
• Choi JE
• Lee SJ
• Kang SH

• KMID: 2510640
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14449/jbd.2020.8.2.139

Abstract

Contralateral axillary lymph node metastasis (CAM) is classified into synchronous and metachronous CAM. It is considered a stage IV disease by American Joint Community on Cancer (AJCC) cancer staging system. Although ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) with metachronous CAM is rare, it can occur after previous axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) because of altered lymphatic drainage. Metachronous CAM might be a regional disease progression rather than a distant metastasis. Here, we present a case of IBTR with metachronous CAM. This patient was treated with curative intent. The management of CAM remains controversial.

Keyword

Breast neoplasms; Lymph nodes; Neoplasm metastasis; Recurrence