Latest research shows that the more number of lymph nodes removed, the better result with fewer recurrence of breast cancer.

Among women with node-negative breast cancer, those who had fewer than six lymph nodes removed during axillary lymph node dissection were more likely to experience a cancer recurrence than women who had a larger number of nodes removed. These results were published in the Annals of Oncology.

Axillary lymph node dissection refers to the removal of axillary (underarm) lymph nodes in order to determine whether breast cancer has spread. Understanding the extent to which cancer has spread plays an important part in treatment planning.

Among women with node-negative cancer (cancer that has not spread to lymph nodes), some women will eventually experience a cancer recurrence. In order to better predict risk of recurrence, researchers are evaluating the relationships between tumor and treatment characteristics and patient outcomes.

In order to determine whether the number of lymph nodes removed during axillary lymph node dissection influences subsequent risk of recurrence, researchers in Spain conducted a study among 1606 women with node-negative breast cancer. All of the women had undergone axillary lymph node dissection. The number of lymph nodes removed ranged from one to 54. Half the women had more than 12 nodes removed.


Posted by: Andria    Source

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