The Significance of Radiologically Detected Intramammary Lymph Nodes in Prediction of Axillary Lymph Nodes Status in Breast Cancer Patients

Breast cancer is a major cause of mortality among women if not treated in early stages. Early screening and diagnosis have a lot to do with the therapeutic effect of prognosis . Nodal status in breast cancer is one of the determining factors for staging, treatment, and prognosis. Nodal status in breast cancer is one of the determining factors for staging, treatment, and prognosis. Nodal status in breast cancer is one of the determining factors for staging, treatment, and prognosis . Intramammary lymph nodes (IMLN) are defined as a lymph nodes that should be surrounded by breast tissue in all sides, which differentiate them from those in the axillary region . Normal IMLN are typically described in all imaging study (mammography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging \[MRI\]) as a circumscribed mass, smaller than 10 mm, with oval shape and hilar fat, usually at a peripheral location, adjacent to a vein . The most common location (about 70%) is the upper outer quadrants, however, it may be located anywhere in the breast .