What is the purpose of an axillary lymph node dissection?
Axillary lymph node dissection is a treatment method for if breast cancer spreads to the axilla lymph nodes. The procedure involves the removal of the lymph nodes, after which they are further evaluated to determine the extent of the cancerous cells.
The main purpose of an ALND is to stop breast cancer from spreading further, usually to the underarm. The procedure has a high survival rate and is highly recommended.
Most common treatments involve the first and second level. But as a precaution, your surgeon may also remove some nodes from the third level. Your surgery will also have to remove the “fat pad” located under your arm.