Lymph Node Removal

Some people think that lymph removal (lymphadenectomy) is unnecessary, but there is no other way to do a biopsy of a lymph node while in the body or to biopsy it and return it to the body. There are hundreds of lymph nodes throughout the body that filter lymph. To determine if there are cancer cells in lymph nodes, they will need to be removed. A sentinel biopsy can minimize how many lymph nodes will be removed. Once lymph nodes are removed, there may be side affects, but they can be managed.

The Purpose of Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes have an important purpose in the health of the body, so they are not removed to do a biopsy if it is not necessary. The lymph nodes are part of the circulation system. They trap waste, cancer cells, and other debris in the system so they can be removed from the body. When overwhelmed with an infection, cancer, or other material, they will swell and become noticeable. There are three circulatory systems in the body. One of the other ones removes waste like the lymphatic system, it is the venous system (removes waste from tissues), and the other is the arterial system (circulates blood). The lymphatic system is able to trap and filter larger waste particles than the venous system.

Lymph Nodes Removal

Lymph nodes are removed during a surgical procedure. If sentinel lymph nodes are going to be removed, it will be after a dye test to identify which ones they are. The procedure is an outpatient procedure that will vary in length due to the number of lymph nodes being removed and their location. Sometimes lymph node biopsies will be done while the person is still in surgery so that additional surgery can be done at the same time if the lymph nodes have cancer cells.

Lymph Node Removal and Cancer

Lymph node removal is necessary to determine what stage the cancer is in. If there is no lymph node involvement, it is easier to treat the cancer. If there is lymph node involvement, then that means the cancer has spread from the original tumor and further testing will be needed. These are the stages of cancer:

• Stage I - Carcinoma in situ (CIS), an early stage of cancer when the cells have not invaded surrounding tissue
• Stage II and Stage III - localized cancer, the cancer is in one area of the body with lymph node involvement
• Stage IV - the cancer has spread to other organs or throughout the body

Different types of cancer have different criteria for the amount of lymph node involvement for it to be staged II or III.

Side Effects of Lymph Node Removal

Some of the side effects of lymph node removal include pain, discomfort, and swelling. The side effects may subside, but the swelling can come and go depending on how the lymph circulates throughout the body.

Before having lymph nodes removed (lymphadenectomy), you may want to do research and get a second opinion. To minimize the number of lymph nodes that will need to be removed can be reduced by identifying the sentinel lymph nodes and doing a biopsy on those.

Lymph Node

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