How Does the Involvement of Axillary Lymph Nodes Affect Cancer Staging?
The involvement of axillary lymph nodes significantly impacts cancer staging, which is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment and predicting outcomes. The number of affected lymph nodes and the extent of cancer spread within these nodes help classify the cancer into various stages. For instance, in breast cancer, the presence of cancer cells in the axillary lymph nodes often indicates a more advanced stage (Stage II or III), which may necessitate more aggressive treatment.
