Breast cancer cells enter the lymph vessels and start to grow in lymph nodes. Most breast, lymph vessels drain into lymph nodes either under the arm or the axillary nodes, around the collarbone or the supraclavicular and infraclavicular lymph nodes, or inside the chest near the breast or what is referred to as the internal mammary lymph nodes. There is a great probability that cancer cells could metastasize to other organs of the body if these cells have spread to the lymph nodes. Due to this matter, treatment plans are affected. It is important to remember, however, that not all women with cancer cells in their lymph nodes develop metastases and not all those who do not have cancer cells cannot develop metastases (American Cancer Society, …show more content…
Symptoms may include a lump or thickening in the breast either inside or near the breast or in the underarm areas. It is also detected when there is a change in the size or the shape of the female breast, presence of dimple or puckering of the skin, and when nipple turned inward towards the breast (PDQ® Adult Treatment Editorial Board, 2016). Another symptom is when fluid, other than milk, comes out of the nipple and when the areola turns scaly, red or swollen. For early detection, breast self-exams and mammography can help find breast cancer early (U.S. National Library of Medicine,