Axillary lymph node surgery
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Axillary lymph node surgery
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Surgery to remove the lymph nodes under the arm (axillary lymph node dissection) provides information about whether breast cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes. The information gained from this surgery helps guide decisions about breast cancer treatment. In axillary dissection, usually 10 to 20 lymph nodes in the armpit are removed. In sentinel node biopsy, usually 1 to 2 nodes are removed.
Credits
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology |
| Last Updated | August 31, 2007 |
| Last updated: | August 31, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Reviewed By: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology |
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