The significance of a supraclavicular node metastasis in patients with breast cancer. A literature review.
BACKGROUND
Data on the incidence, the risk factors, the possibilities of the different adjuvant therapies in the prevention and the prognosis of a supraclavicular metastatic node in a patient with breast cancer are rather scarce, when compared with the literature on axillary nodes.


METHODS
Relevant literature.


RESULTS
In spite of the low attention in the literature, we could have an insight on its incidence, the impact of positive axillary nodes, the rather low efficiency of chemotherapy in preventing them and the more pronounced effect of locoregional radiotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The prognosis is rather dismal as supraclavicular nodes are mostly the prelude to new metastases. Supraclavicular nodes can well be treated but the treatment does not influence survival.
Debois
J M
JM
Department of Radiation Oncology, Eeuwfeestkliniek, Antwerpen, Belgium.
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002968:Clavicle; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant