Can breast cancer metastasize with no lymph node involvement?
On One Hand: Bloodstream InvolvementWhen cancerous cells break off of a tumor, the bloodstream or the lymphatic system can carry the cells to other parts of the body. According to the American Cancer Society, cells most commonly travel through the bloodstream. These cells can attack any body organ or tissue without involving the lymph nodes.On the Other: A Difficult JourneyThere are several steps cancer cells must go through before growing a tumor in a new location. After separating from the primary tumor, cells must break through a capillary wall, move through the bloodstream and enter the organ. Cancer Research UK states that white blood cells commonly kill the traveling cancer cells during this process, preventing metastasis.Bottom LineBreastCancer.org reminds readers that breast cancer can metastasize without lymph node involvement, but the absence or presence of cancer in the lymph nodes is the factor that typically determines the aggressiveness of the cancer.
