[Lymph drainage as prognostic factor in breast carcinoma].

Lymph stasis detectable by means of breast lymphography and which developed as a consequence of axillary lymph node metastases has proved to be a valuable factor in the prognosis of breast cancer. As with secondary lymphedema, lymph vessels were found to be dilated, which was regarded as a consequence of tumoral obstruction, and the elevated pressure in these lymph vessels may cause hematogenous spread of the tumors through venous shunts. Significant correlation between preoperative lymphographic findings and the incidence of distant forming 5 years postoperatively was also found, which leads to the conclusion that the distant metastases exist prior to the operation can account for the late tumor recurrence.