Does Everyone with Breast Cancer Require an Axillary Lymph Node Dissection?
Very early breast cancer, such as ductal carcinoma in situ, is “noninvasive” breast cancer. This means that the abnormal cells are found only in the lining of the milk ducts or lobules of the breast and have not yet invaded the surrounding breast tissues, lymph vessels or blood vessels; therefore, these abnormal cells can not spread to other areas of the body. Patients with noninvasive breast cancers generally do not require an axillary lymph node dissection. What are the Risks of an Axillary Lymph Node Dissection? As with any surgery there is a risk of bleeding, infection and poor wound healing. Fluid or blood could accumulate around the breast or underarm area and require drainage. Numbness and tingling in the underarm and arm can occur due to nerves cut during surgery. Muscle tightness of the underarm and shoulder can occur. Lymphedema, or swelling of the arm, can occur weeks, months or years after surgery. There is also a life-long risk of developing arm infections following a lymp
