Correlation between tumor size and site with axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer

Background: Breast cancer remains significant health concern across the world and the leading cause of cancer related mortality and morbidity among females. Various trials have been performed to evaluate the chances of less extensive surgery in both breast and axilla, even omission of axillary surgery. So, it is paramount to identify the prognostic and predictive factors that may fulfill the goal in the future. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study which took place in the Department of Surgical Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), Mohakhali, Dhaka from January 2023 to December 2023 over a period of 12 months. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total number of 76 patients were enrolled in the current study after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Mean age of the study population was 42.37±9.87 years. There is statistically significant relationship between tumor size and ALNM (p<0.05) where majority of the patients (n=47) presented with T2 lesion (61.84%). Results of the study also showed involved site of breast by cancer was significantly related to axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM). The number of patients presented with upper and outer quadrant, Upper and Inner quadrant and lower and inner quadrant were 48 (63.2%), 13 (17.1%) and 6 (7.9%) respectively. Lower and outer quadrant was involved by 8 (10.5%) patients which was not significantly related with ALNM (p>0.05). Conclusions: The current study demonstrated quadrant involvement can emerge as a clinically useful prognostic factor in breast cancer as there is a higher incidence of lymph node positivity with increasing size of the breast tumor and for tumors located at the outer quadrants of the breast. So, the site of primary tumor and size may be an important characteristic finding affecting the prognosis and treatment of patients with breast cancer.