Are there lymph nodes in the upper outer quadrant where most breast tumors occur?
Lymph nodes can be found throughout the breasts and have an important role. The underarm (axillary) nodes filter most of the liquid lymph flowing out of the breast before it goes back into the body’s bloodstream. These nodes are under the arm, in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, and near the collarbone. The breast quadrants are not actually all the same size. About half of all breast cancers develop in the upper outer part of the breast, probably because there is more breast tissue in this area. The number of breast cancers in the upper outer part of the breast is in proportion to the amount of breast tissue in that area. There is no evidence to suggest that the location of cancers within the breast is related to using antiperspirants or underarm shaving.
Related Questions
- Most breast cancers occur in the upper, outer quadrant of the left breast near where right handed people apply antiperspirants. This sounds like plausible evidence for a link - is it?
- Are the lymph nodes located in the upper outer quadrant where most breast tumors occur?
- Why is carcinoma of the breast more frequent in the upper outer quadrant?
