Which statement about axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer is true?

Which statement about axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer is true?

• A. It is commonly performed as part of surgical treatment with lumpectomy or mastectomy.
• B. It is never performed.
• C. It is only used for male breast cancer.
• D. It should replace adjuvant radiation therapy.

Answer: (A)

Axillary lymph node dissection serves to stage breast cancer and improve regional control by removing nodes in the armpit. It is commonly performed as part of the surgical plan when removing the breast tumor, whether doing a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. In modern practice, surgeons often start with a sentinel lymph node biopsy to assess nodal status; if that node is negative, full axillary dissection can be avoided, but when nodal disease is suspected or confirmed, or when sentinel nodes are positive, a dissection may be completed. The other statements are not accurate: it is not never performed, it is not exclusive to male breast cancer, and it does not replace adjuvant radiation therapy.

Axillary lymph node dissection serves to stage breast cancer and improve regional control by removing nodes in the armpit. It is commonly performed as part of the surgical plan when removing the breast tumor, whether doing a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. In modern practice, surgeons often start with a sentinel lymph node biopsy to assess nodal status; if that node is negative, full axillary dissection can be avoided, but when nodal disease is suspected or confirmed, or when sentinel nodes are positive, a dissection may be completed. The other statements are not accurate: it is not never performed, it is not exclusive to male breast cancer, and it does not replace adjuvant radiation therapy.