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The lymph nodes are a way of travel for Breast cancer cells. This is the first place they go if the cancer has spread. They remove the lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread. Hopefully, the breast cancer cells will not have gone past the lymph nodes, and with removal of them and the cancer in the breast, the cancer is gone. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and the cancer can spread to other parts of the body through the lymph nodes. The more lymph nodes that are positive for cancer, the more likely the cancer has spread to distant places in the body. Early detection is the key! Keep up on the mammograms and self examination. It could save your life!
AnswerThe above poster gave an excellent answer, but just wanted to add that lymph nodes are throughout our body and are filters for our body, thus, of there are cancer cells they can travel through lymph nodes.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoBecause lymph nodes basically act as filters for your body and when cancer spreads (metastasizes) the lymph nodes often catch some of the cells. So often when removing cancer they will remove some of the lymph nodes to test them to see if the cancer has started to spread.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoThe lymphatic system works by absorbing fluid at the end of capillaries which is then called lymph. This fluid is similar to plasma but lacking the bigger proteins that can't be absorbed. Doctors remove lymph nodes in nearby cancer areas because the lymphatic system, which stretches throughout the body and circulates fluids, could then become contaminated and spread the cancer to other areas of the body. At least this is my understanding
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoCancer would be the main reason to remove the lymph nodes from the armpits. Very often, breast cancer will spread to the armpits.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoA surgeon usually removes nearby lymph nodes to prevent associated lymphatic vessels from transporting cancer cells to other sites (metastasis).
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoas once the cancer has reached the lymph nodes it makes it easier for the cancer to spread to any where in the body
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I have breast cancer and i have to have my lymph nodes removed is there a hospital stay?
If you have breast cancer and you just had your lymph nodes removed, a hospital stay is very important.
A diagnostic procedure in which all of the lymph nodes in a major group are removed to determine the spread of cancer?
A lymph node dissection
Is a diagnostic procedure in which all of the lymph nodes in a major group are removed to determine the spread of cancer?
A lymph node dissection
When doing a lumpectomy are the sentinel lymph nodes also removed along with the axillary lymph nodes?
Typically, the sentinel nodes are axillary nodes. If you are having the axillary nodes removed, the sentinal nodes will also be removed.
How serious is cancer in lymph nodes?
Lymphatic cancer can be very serious because the lymph nodes are throughout the body.
What does N mean in the TNM staging system?
"N" represents the spread of the cancer to lymph nodes, largely determined by those nodes removed at surgery that contain cancer cells.
Is breast cancer lymph gland cancer?
Please rephrase this question for it to make sense. Thanx
Bacteria and dead cell are removed from circulatory fluid in the?
Lymphatic system, especially in the nodes (lymph glands)
A cancer of the lymph nodes is called?
It could be lymphoma or another cancer that has metastasized to the lymph nodes.
Can lymph nodes be removed?
yes
How are harmful organism removed from your lymph?
the spleen and the lymph nodes
What can a mediastinoscopy show about the lymph nodes of a lung cancer patient?
The lymph nodes in the mediastinum are likely to show if lung cancer has spread beyond the lungs.
