Lymph Node Surgery

1. What is Lymph Node Surgery?
2. MICHELE LEY, MD, FACS
3. What to Expect
4. The level of care is excellent.
5. Following Lymph Node Surgery
6. Contact Us Today
7. ABOUT US & EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION
8. CONTACT US

What is Lymph Node Surgery?

When breast cancer spreads, its first destination is typically nearby lymph nodes located under the arm. In some cases, it may also spread to lymph nodes located near the breastbone or collarbone. If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, it is important to determine how far the cancer has spread to help your doctor determine the best treatment option for you. To determine this, lymph nodes are surgically removed to examine them in detail. Not all types of cancer or all patients require lymph node sampling and you and your surgeon will discuss this prior to treatment.

Board-Certified Surgeon

MICHELE LEY, MD, FACS

Dr. Ley, a breast surgical oncologist in Tucson since 2006, delivers compassionate and personalized care to create tailored treatment plans based on the latest research. Specializing in surgical care for breast cancer and high-risk patients, she employs minimally invasive techniques and practices oncoplastic surgery to optimize outcomes.

More About Dr. Ley

What to Expect

If you have enlarged lymph nodes under your arm or elsewhere prior to surgery you may need to undergo a needle biopsy to check for cancer. If cancer is present, this can influence the extent of therapy including surgery, and may require an axillary lymph node dissection.

Even if nearby lymph nodes are not enlarged, they should still be checked for cancer. This can be performed through a sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy: During this procedure, Dr. Ley will find and remove the first lymph nodes to which cancer is most likely to spread (called the sentinel nodes). During this procedure, a dye, usually a radioactive dye and sometimes a blue dye is injected into the breast.  This can be done prior to or during the surgery. The lymph vessels will carry this substance along the same pathway cancer is most likely to take. The sentinel nodes can be found by either searching for the nodes that have the blue dye or using a special machine to detect the dye.The indicated nodes will then be removed and sent to the lab.  When the dye goes to the nodes it does not mean they are involved with cancer, this is determined in the lab by the pathologist.

Axillary lymph node dissection: During this procedure, about 10-20 nodes are removed from the area under the arm. This is often performed in conjunction with the breast surgery either partial or complete mastectomy but can also be performed during a second operation if the sentinel nodes are found to be involved. At this time we rarely perform complete lymph node removal and the decision is made after a multi-disciplinary discussion with you, the medical and radiation oncologists, and your surgeon.  This surgery can be replaced by radiation in many circumstances and radiation has a lower rate of lymphedema.

“The level of care is excellent.”

Dr. Ley is extremely good at explaining your breast cancer, treatment options, and everything she is going to do. She is a masterful surgeon and uses plastic techniques to close incisions, leaving minimal scarring. In addition, she is warm, pleasant, and a lovely person. I am so happy that I found her based on a friend’s recommendation. I can’t say enough about her and the practice’s excellent care.

I have no words to express my gratitude for Dr. Ley! I was diagnosed Feb. 2020 and Dr. Ley besides being the best in her field and doing an amazing job on my double mastectomy she was even able to save my nipples. She is also a remarkable human being, patient, kind very clear in explaining everything and making you feel heard and safe in her hands. I 100% recommend her and her very helpful, kind and amazing team! If you have recently been diagnosed this is the team you want to have your back!

Dr. Ley is an excellent doctor who cares about her patients. She takes the time to explain everything and provides all options. The level of care is excellent.

Following Lymph Node Surgery

Following lymph node surgery common side effects may include pain and discomfort, swelling, and bleeding. In some cases, lymphedema may occur. Lymphedema is swelling in the arm of the chest caused by a buildup of lymph fluid. The lymphatics can be disrupted by breast surgery and lymph node surgery and this creates blockages, allowing fluid to build up in the breast, arm, and chest wall. If you are experiencing swelling in your arm or chest after surgery, be sure to let us know right away. At Tucson Breast Health Specialists, we offer coordination of lymphedema assessment and therapy and pumps for lymphedema.

Contact Us Today

If you are interested in learning more about lymph node surgery, please contact Tucson Breast Health Specialists today. A consultation with Dr. Ley at our Tucson, AZ location is the first step toward learning more about your breast health options.

ABOUT US

More About Us

OUR BLOG

Read Our Blog