- In an axillary sentinel lymph node, the surgeon removes the first lymph nodes under the arm (axilla) to which breast cancer cells may spread from the primary tumor location.
- This procedure:
- Helps to evaluate the extent of disease and assists the oncologist in determining whether chemotherapy or radiation therapy is required
- Helps the surgeon determine whether an axillary lymph node dissection is needed
- May potentially avoid unnecessary removal of lymph nodes in the axilla, helping to reduce both the length of surgery and the risk of developing lymphedema, a condition in which fluids builds up in the extremities
question
What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
