Lymphadenectomy,orlymph node dissection, is the surgical removal of one or more groups of lymph nodes.[1] It is almost always performed as part of the surgical management of cancer. In a regional lymph node dissection, some of the lymph nodes in the tumor area are removed; in a radical lymph node dissection, most or all of the lymph nodes in the tumor area are removed.[2][3][4]
For clinical stages I and II breast cancer, axillary lymph node dissection should only be performed after first attempting a sentinel node biopsy.[5] A sentinel node biopsy can establish cancer staging of the axilla if there are positive lymph nodes present.[5] It is also less risky than performing a lymphadenectomy, having fewer side effects and a much lower chance of causing lymphedema.[5] If cancer is not present in the sentinel lymph nodes, then the axillary lymph node dissection should not be performed.[5]
If one or two sentinel nodes have cancer that is not extensive, then no axillary dissection should be performed, but the person with cancer should have breast-conserving surgery and chemotherapy appropriate for their stage of cancer.[5]
Lymphedema may result from lymphadenectomy. Extensive resection of lymphatic tissue can lead to the formation of a lymphocele.[citation needed]
It is uncertain whether inserting wound drainage after groin lymph nodes dissection can reduce complications such as seroma, haematoma, wound dehiscence, and wound infection.[6]
This article incorporates public domain material from Dictionary of Cancer Terms. U.S. National Cancer Institute.
