Are interpectoral nodes worth exploring in breast cancer surgery?

From June to December 1990, 110 consecutive patients with breast cancer underwent a modified radical mastectomy (n=33) or quadrantectomy (n=77) combined with a complete axillary dissection and removal or interpectoral lymphatic tissue. The average number of lymph nodes removed from the axilla and interpectoral region was 22: 12.5 at Level I, 6.4 at Level II, 3.7 at Level III and 1.5 from the interpectoral tissue. In 59 110 patients fatty tissue only was found in the interpectoral region and in the remaining 51 patients, interpectoral lymph nodes were identified and these were involved in 22 patients (37.3% of total group). In 3 patients these were the only nodes involved. During axillary dissection the interpectoral space should be explored and palpable interpectoral nodes removed and submitted for histology.