Journal of Breast Disease 2020;8(2):139-142

doi: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

Jin Gu KANG 1 ; Young Ah KIM ; Jung Eun CHOI ; Soo Jung LEE ; Su Hwan KANG

Affiliations

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Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

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.