Cancer treatment
Lymph Node Removal
Lymph node removal takes out one or more lymph nodes to check whether cancer has spread, or to treat cancer that has reached them.
Quick answer
Lymph Node Removal: what it is, why it's done and what happens
Lymph node surgery removes lymph nodes near a cancer. A sentinel node biopsy removes just the first node(s) the cancer would reach to check for spread, while a fuller clearance removes a group of nodes.
- Why it is done: It is used to find out whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes (which guides treatment) and to remove nodes known to contain cancer, for example in breast cancer, melanoma and others.
- What happens: Under general anaesthetic, and often using a dye or tracer to find the sentinel node, the surgeon removes the node(s) through a small cut, sometimes during the same operation as removing the cancer.
What it is
Lymph node surgery removes lymph nodes near a cancer. A sentinel node biopsy removes just the first node(s) the cancer would reach to check for spread, while a fuller clearance removes a group of nodes.
Why it is done
It is used to find out whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes (which guides treatment) and to remove nodes known to contain cancer, for example in breast cancer, melanoma and others.
What happens
Under general anaesthetic, and often using a dye or tracer to find the sentinel node, the surgeon removes the node(s) through a small cut, sometimes during the same operation as removing the cancer.
Recovery
Recovery from a sentinel node biopsy is usually quick. Larger clearances take longer and can lead to a fluid collection or arm/leg swelling. Results guide any further treatment.
Good to know
Risks and things to consider
Removing many nodes raises the risk of long-term swelling (lymphoedema) in the nearby limb, along with numbness, stiffness and fluid collections. A sentinel biopsy carries much lower risk.
Education and reference only. This explains the procedure in general terms and is not medical advice. Your own care, risks and recovery will be explained by the team looking after you.
Answers
Lymph Node Removal: frequently asked questions
What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
It removes just the first lymph node(s) that cancer would spread to, using a dye or tracer to find them. If these are clear, further node removal — and its risks — can often be avoided.
What is lymphoedema?
Lymphoedema is swelling, usually in an arm or leg, that can occur when lymph nodes are removed or damaged and fluid does not drain properly. Care and early treatment help manage it.
Related
Other cancer treatment
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Tests and treatments
- NICE — cancer treatment guidance
- Relevant Royal College / professional body
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