ASYMMETRIES IN BREAST CANCER LATERALIZATION AND BOTH AXILLARY LYMPH NODE NUMBER AND METASTATIC INVOLVEMENT

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated rightor left lateralization of some paired organcancers and left-sided asymmetry of differentlymph nodes. We investigated left–rightasymmetry lateralization of breast cancer anddistribution of involved/ non-involved axillarylymph nodes following metastatic invasion inpatients with breast cancer. One hundred andsixty five women who underwent axillarylymphadenectomy during the study periodwere included. Right or left axillary nodalregions were removed and sent for pathologicexamination. Lymph nodes were palpatorilyidentified, isolated from fat tissue, countedand macroscopically examined. Pathologicalexamination was performed on formalin fixedspecimens. We found left-sided lateralizationfor breast cancer in this study group. Bothtotal number as well as the number of axillarylymph nodes involved by metastatic breastcancer cells were higher on right side inpatients with breast cancer on the right side.Although the mechanism is not known, andfurther investigation is needed, this phenomenonmay be the result of stronger cellmediatedimmune activity in the left sidesof humans.