Importance of Lymph Nodes

Lymph node status is an important part of your breast cancer diagnosis. This page will cover how cancer cells travel through lymph nodes, the importance of the sentinel lymph nodes, and why lymph node removal is important.

In simple terms think of the lymphatic system like a railway system with two sets of train tracks.

• Lymph fluid travels on the first track through your arteries. It cleans your tissues and then the fluid leaves the tissues and travels through the lymphatic system on the second track.

• The lymph nodes are like cleaning stations along the second lymphatic system track. The nodes filter out cancer cells, bacteria, viruses, and other unwanted substances.

We’ll review the role of the sentinel nodes since they are the first set of lymph nodes after your breast .

• They can be felt under your arm.

• I think of these nodes as a gatekeeper – they’re important because cancer cells travel here first if they have begun to spread.

• During surgery your surgeon will perform a sentinel node biopsy.

• The nodes will be immediately examined by a pathologist and if they test positive for cancer your surgeon will remove some or all your underarm lymph nodes on the side where the cancer was found.

They sometimes use the terms sentinel and axillary interchangeably.

• Sentinel means the first few lymph nodes that will be tested for cancer during surgery - they may also call them sentinel axillary lymph nodes.

• Axillary lymph nodes usually means all the lymph nodes in your armpit region.

Lymph node removal is an important topic, and the removal of lymph nodes is an important part of your breast cancer treatments.

• If cancer cells have spread to your lymph system, then it must be addressed since the cancer is spreading.

• Having lymph nodes removed is not painful and you can ask your surgeon about options to minimize discomfort after surgery.

• After surgery your doctor will let you know how many nodes were removed and if any tested positive for cancer.

• The number of cancerous nodes will influence what types of treatment that your medical team recommends.

In conclusion, try not feel intimidated when your medical team mentions lymph nodes and breast cancer.

• If you understand the basics about lymph node importance, then you’ll be able to make educated decisions about your breast cancer treatment.

Watch our video on breast cancer and lymph nodes on YouTube https://youtu.be/YPkBG0Nk_3o

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