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While there is a general correlation of the number of positive nodes is
GENERALLY associated with the spread of disease -- once there are =
'several'
nodes (e.g. 3-4 or more), then the individual is a Stage III or IV. The
later the stage, the harder the disease is to treat (because there is =
more
disease and there is the precedence of secondary/metastatic disease. To =
my
knowledge, there is no correlation between the number of positive nodes =
and
survival time.
The same is true for the size of the primary tumor and the length of =
time
between recurrence or mortality. Tumors DO NOT grow to a specific size
before they become metastatic. Some very small primary tumors shed mets =
at
a relatively small primary tumor cell size....while other tumors seem =
to be
fairly large before metastases ARE detected (since we only know about =
mets
when they are detected....we do not know about metastatic cells that =
spread
and then die...because we generally do not detect them).
----
E. Loren Buhle, Jr., Ph.D
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