Why Are Lymph Nodes Removed in Breast Cancer Staging?

Women who have tested positive for breast cancer may find themselves wondering just why their surgeon is recommending the removal of lymph nodes for further testing. This can seem like an unnecessary and overly invasive extra step with a cancer that already tends to require rather invasive treatment.

Lymph node biopsies, however, are not performed lightly and they can, in fact, prove critical for helping doctors not only stage cancer, but better understand its spread if that has indeed occurred. Lymph node biopsies are simply a critical part of the diagnostic process for localized breast cancer. This procedure can also better help physicians determine treatment and management strategies while offering prognostic insights, as well.

The American Joint Committee on Cancer and the Union for International Cancer Control recently published guidelines for lymph node staging. In most cases, staging recommendations only involve sentinel node dissection, but the best management for patients who have detectable axillary disease remains under review.

Women who have clinically node-negative breast cancers will find a sentinel lymph node biopsy will generally be performed as the standard of care. For those with node-positive cancers, axillary dissection will also likely be performed. Sentinel nodes for breast cancer patients are generally located under the armpit. Once the sentinel nodes are found using a radioactive dye, a few of will be removed and examined to look for signs of cancer. This can help with staging while also enabling doctors to determine if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. If axillary lymph node dissection is required, most of the lymph nodes under the arm will be removed for study to help seek out signs of cancer’s spread.

While lymph node biopsies might seem like an added burden for a woman undergoing breast cancer treatment, they serve a vital purpose. This examination can help ensure doctors have a clearer picture of the cancer while arming them with the facts needed to help direct the battle against it. Visit here for more information.