Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system that drains excess tissue fluid through minute lymphatic tubes to the blood stream. Lymph nodes are small nodules that connect to lymphatic tubes which filter lymph fluids and plays important role of defence system against infection. Lymph nodes draining breast tissue is placed under the arm pit. Cancer cell from breast can pass along the lymph tubes and get trapped in the lymph nodes in the axilla.
Involved nodes are usually bigger and palpable or can be seen by ultrasound examination. Small sample of cells can be obtained for examination by needle aspiration to confirm the lymph node involvement.
When breast cancer is confirmed to have spread to lymph nodes they are removed as a whole group by incision under the arm pit. This operation is called axillary dissection. Details of this operation and complication should be discussed with your doctor prior to undergoing this operation. After axillary block dissection operation drain tube is kept in place to drain excess lymphatic fluid from the wound.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a new technique where instead of removing whole block of nodes, few nodes are removed to check presence of cancer cell preventing complications associated with axillary block dissection.
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