Why Breast Cancer Patients Need Axillary Lymph Node Removal

Why Do Breast Cancer Patients Need Axillary Lymph Node Dissection?

Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND) is one of the important procedures in the treatment of breast cancer. The lymph nodes in the armpit are the first common site where breast cancer tends to spread. Therefore, ALND plays a key role in diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning.

Detecting Cancer Spread

One of the main reasons for removing axillary lymph nodes is to check whether the cancer has already spread. Breast cancer often travels to these lymph nodes before spreading to other organs. Detecting cancer cells in the lymph nodes allows doctors to accurately stage the disease and select the most appropriate treatment.

Prognosis

Knowing whether and how much cancer has spread to the lymph nodes helps predict the risk of recurrence. If cancer is found in the lymph nodes, doctors may recommend additional treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, to lower the chance of the cancer returning.

Reducing the Risk of Further Spread

Removing cancer-affected lymph nodes may help reduce the risk of further metastasis. Eliminating lymph nodes containing cancer cells decreases tumor burden and improves the chance of successful treatment.

Alternative Option: Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB)

While complete axillary lymph node removal may be necessary for some patients, an alternative called Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) is now widely used. SLNB removes only the first lymph node(s) that cancer is likely to spread to. If the sentinel node is free of cancer, full ALND may not be needed. SLNB reduces post-operative complications while still providing accurate staging information.

Side Effects and Recovery

ALND may cause side effects such as arm swelling (lymphedema), limited arm movement, or numbness. Recovery may take time and requires close medical care and rehabilitation.

summarize

Axillary lymph node removal is a crucial step in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The decision to undergo ALND or SLNB depends on the physician’s evaluation and the patient's specific condition. Understanding the importance of these procedures helps patients make informed decisions about their treatment.