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Some Breast-Cancer Patients Can Skip Lymph-Node Surgery

Posted Date: February 08, 2011

Many breast-cancer patients can skip aggressive lymph-node surgery without increasing their chances of a recurrence or death if their disease shows limited spread, according to a study that has prompted changes in practice.

Many breast-cancer patients can skip aggressive lymph-node surgery without increasing their chances of a recurrence or death if their disease shows limited spread, according to a study that has prompted changes in practice.

Under current guidelines, the often-debilitating surgery is done if the cancer has spread outside the breast to any lymph nodes.

The study done at the John Wayne Cancer Center showed that rates of survival and of patients’ remaining cancer-free were just as good whether the women with limited spread—in one or two nearby nodes—had lots more underarm nodes removed or skipped that major surgery.

>>Read more about the latest information about lymph node dissection