![]() ![]() However, more-recent research has suggested that breast cancer may metastasize to other areas of the body through several different routes, explained Dr. That led doctors to believe that removing the axillary lymph nodes could reduce the risk of both cancer recurrence and metastases. Early theories of breast-cancer metastasis held that cancer cells that had broken free from the main tumor would first travel through these lymph nodes on their way to other organs. The axillary lymph nodes run from the breast tissue into the armpit. Changing Views on Breast Cancer Metastasis The trial results were published September 12 in JAMA. Giuliano said he now feels comfortable telling patients that, in the long term, they would “suffer more from the axillary dissection than from the omission of the axillary dissection.” The findings are important for patients because ALND can cause chronic side effects such as numbness, decreased range of motion in the upper body, and lymphedema, said Armando Giuliano, M.D., of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, who led the trial.ĭr. The trial showed that women with early-stage breast cancer who have cancer cells in one or two sentinel lymph nodes can skip axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) after breast-conserving surgery without affecting their long-term survival. ![]() It is important to closely follow your doctor's recovery instructions regarding how quickly you can return to your normal activity level, your diet, medication management, as well as care of your incision site.įollow your physician's recommended follow-up schedule and call right away if you experience any severe side effects.Long-term results from a large clinical trial confirm that, for some women with early-stage breast cancer who have lumpectomy as their surgical treatment, a less extensive lymph node biopsy approach is sufficient. Your incision site will take a couple weeks to heal, and the scar will fade over time. Your breast and under your arm may feel swollen for two to three days but will be back to normal within a week. While many women do not experience side effects after a sentinel node biopsy, some women have bruising or pain at the incision site and others feel fatigued. Recovery from a sentinel lymph node dissection The lymph nodes will be evaluated by a pathologist for signs of cancer. Once the affected lymph nodes are located, your surgeon will remove them. Your Mercy Health surgeon will then make an incision under the arm to locate the lymph nodes that contain dye. What to expect during a sentinel lymph node dissection?ĭuring a sentinel node biopsy, your surgeon will inject a harmless, radioactive dye into the breast - typically under the areola.
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