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Lumpectomy with Sentinel Node Biopsy Questions about Lumpectomy with Sentinel Node Biopsy. |
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| 02/09/2003 | Sir: If you have a lump in your breast,have a lumpectomy and instead of lymph node removal, why can't that area be radiated. Doesn't radiation kill cancer cells? I feel when the lymph nodes are removed the cells escape into your system, where otherwise they might have been contained in the nodes themselves. What is your opinion about this. Thank you. | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 02/11/2003 | We don't think that cells escape because of nodal removal. What has become standard of practice though is removal of the sentinel node-- not all the nodes, just the guard node that , if cancer has spread, it spreads to that one first. If it is negative than the rest of the nodes we believe to be negative for cancer too. Radiating the armpit area carries some risk-- risk of developing lymphedema being a major concern. so pursue sentinel node biopsy with someonw who has successfully done hundreds and hundreds. you are welcome to see us here for that purpose if we can help you. | ||
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