Role of Lymph Node Surgery in Breast Cancer

Lymph node surgery in breast cancer plays a crucial role in accurate staging, treatment planning, and local disease control, particularly in the armpit (axilla). Procedures such as Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) help determine whether cancer has spread beyond the breast while minimizing surgical side effects.

In cases of confirmed or advanced lymph node involvement, Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND) is performed to remove additional nodes for better disease control, though it carries a higher risk of complications such as lymphedema.

According to Dr Sandeep Nayak,
“Lymph node evaluation is a critical part of breast cancer staging, as it directly influences decisions about surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and long-term prognosis.”

• Staging: Identifies whether cancer has spread from the breast to the axillary (underarm) lymph nodes, which is a major factor in determining the overall stage of breast cancer.
• Treatment Planning: Helps determine the need for additional treatments such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy based on lymph node involvement.
• Local Disease Control: Removes affected lymph nodes to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in the underarm region.
• Prognostic Assessment: Provides important information about disease severity and expected outcomes, helping doctors predict the course of the disease.
• Guiding Surgical Approach: Influences the choice between sentinel lymph node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection to balance effective treatment with minimal side effects.

According to Dr Sandeep Nayak, as a oncologist, lymph node surgery plays a vital role in accurate breast cancer management, enabling personalized treatment decisions while minimizing complications and improving long-term outcomes.

• Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB): A minimally invasive procedure in which the surgeon identifies and removes only the first few lymph nodes (usually 1–3) where breast cancer is most likely to spread first. If these nodes are cancer-free, additional lymph node surgery is usually not required.
• Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND): A more extensive surgical procedure that involves removing multiple lymph nodes (typically 10–40) from the underarm area. This approach is generally recommended when there is confirmed or extensive lymph node involvement.
• Targeted Axillary Dissection (TAD): A specialized technique often used after chemotherapy, where the lymph node known to contain cancer before treatment is marked (for example, with a clip) and removed along with the sentinel lymph nodes to accurately assess treatment response.

Dr Sandeep Nayak at macs clinic they explains that modern lymph node surgery focuses on effective cancer control while reducing side effects such as arm swelling.

If you experience unusual breast changes such as a new lump, nipple discharge, or skin dimpling, it is important to seek medical evaluation at the earliest. Consulting Dr Sandeep Nayak, a trusted oncologist in Bangalore, can help ensure accurate diagnosis and timely treatment decisions. You should also consider expert consultation after abnormal imaging or biopsy findings, upon receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, before initiating treatment, or when looking for a second opinion in advanced or complicated cases.

Reference links:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17179-liver-disease

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-health-2/symptoms-of-liver-disease/

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