Abstract:Objective To explore the cause of tumor recurrence to internal mammary lymph nodes(IMLN) after breast cancer operation，and emphasize the therapeutic significance of IMLN in breast cancer therapy.
Methods The clinical data of forty female patients with IMLN recurrence after operation were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The data included previous symptoms, operative procedures, pathology staging as well as postoperative treatments.
Results The recurrence of IMLN of 40 patients was not correlated with patient age, menstruation, or operating procedures ( P>0.05). However, it was correlated with primary tumor diameter and location, number of positive axillary lymph nodes, and clinical pathology staging (P<0.05) . 
Conclusions The IMLN metastasis rate is high in the patients with large lesions (>3cm) of inner or central breast regions, more than 3 positive axillary nodes, and advanced clinical pathology staging(IIb+IIIa,b). Comprehensive therapy should be enforced in the patients with the high risk factors of recurrence.