Stage and spread
Lymph node involvement
Also written as Nodes positive, Node positive, Lymph nodes involved, N1, Axillary nodes, Nodal metastasis
What it means
Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped structures that are part of the immune system. They filter fluid and contain white blood cells. Staging looks at whether lymph nodes contain cancer. Your report may list how many nodes were checked and how many had cancer.
Why it matters
Whether lymph nodes contain cancer is part of staging. Your oncologist uses it when planning treatment.
Ask your oncologist
"How many lymph nodes were checked, and how many had cancer?"
From NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: lymph node and NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: stage. Not medical advice: your oncologist decides.