What happens if breast cancer spreads to lymph nodes

Make note of all your symptoms. Metastatic breast cancer can affect your quality of life, which includes your mental health, pain levels, and ability to function on a day-to-day…. Cancer can kill when tumors affect the function of major organs. Life threatening complications can also occur due to malnutrition, a weakened immune…. Mammograms can help your doctor identify breast cancer. Check out our image gallery and learn more about mammograms.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Yamini Ranchod, Ph. Cancer in lymph nodes Symptoms Diagnosis and teatment Outlook Overview. Cancer spreading to the lymph nodes. Cancer spreading to lymph nodes symptoms. When breast cancer is found in the lymph nodes, it means that cancer has spread from the primary tumor and is at least stage 2. Lymph node involvement is an important part of staging and in determining which treatments are most likely to be effective.

Knowing the specifics of your breast cancer can help you partner with your doctor and be an active participant in your treatment. Breast cancer is staged from 0 to 4. The stage reflects tumor size, lymph node involvement, and how far cancer may have spread. Other things, such as…. Find out what defines the different stages of breast cancer and how they are treated.

Learn about surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone treatments,. In stage 2 breast cancer, cancer cells have not spread beyond your breast or nearby lymph nodes. Learn more about treatment options and prognosis.

ER-positive breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer diagnosed today. Find out what ER-positive breast cancer means and learn about…. My breast cancer diagnosis taught me to protect my energy so I can enjoy time doing what's really important — without the added stress. Papillary breast cancer is a rare and slow-growing type of breast cancer.

Learn about symptoms, risk factors, treatment, and more. Learn about the characteristics of metaplastic breast cancer along with causes and risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and more.

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast that can detect tumors or abnormalities in the breast tissue. Learn more about who should get one and how they…. Learn what researchers say about the link between deodorant and breast cancer.

We'll also cover ingredients to avoid and tips to manage excessive…. Hormone therapy for breast cancer works to stop or slow the production of hormones that fuel tumors. Read more on the pros and cons of this treatment. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Breast Cancer. What are lymph nodes? Share on Pinterest Credit: Wenzdai Figueroa. Breast cancer staging and lymph nodes. Are there symptoms of breast cancer in the lymph nodes?

What are the treatment options? Understanding your cancer and treatment. Different stages of cancer indicate how far it has spread from its original location. The National Cancer Institute states that the stages of cancer are:. Healthcare professionals also break stage 3 into multiple categories, including 3a, b, and c. The stage at which cancer has spread to the lymph nodes varies.

The staging may also differ depending on the type of cancer. Healthcare professionals may categorize Leukemias and lymphomas differently. In the TNM system, each letter refers to a different feature of the cancer:. When a doctor uses the TNM system, they will place a number after each letter.

If a person has cancer cells in their lymph nodes, it may indicate that the cancer is spreading. A person may need to undergo testing to see if their cancer has spread. For example, the American Cancer Society ACS defines the 5-year survival rate as follows once the cancer has regionally advanced, including spread to the nearby lymph nodes:. A relative survival rate helps give an idea of how long a person with a particular condition will live after receiving a diagnosis compared with those without the condition.

The survival rate refers to the proportion of people who are still alive for a length of time after receiving a particular diagnosis. It is important to remember that these figures are estimates and are based on the results of previous studies or treatments. A person can consult a healthcare professional about how their condition is going to affect them.

Additionally, a person may not notice swollen lymph nodes that are deep inside their body. A person may develop symptoms if their cancer spreads from their lymph nodes to other parts of their body. Symptoms of metastatic cancer can include :. A surgeon may make the decision to remove the lymph nodes if they contain cancer cells.

However, the removal of lymph nodes can cause other issues. The ACS notes that once the lymph nodes are removed, the lymph fluid in that area can no longer drain away. This can cause a buildup of lymph fluid in the lymph vessels, called lymphedema.

Lymphedemas can cause swelling and pain in the affected area, and can become life-long problems.