In breast cancer, the condition of the armpit is important in many ways. While the first one is necessary in the staging of breast cancer, it is of serious importance both in the decision of the surgery to be performed and in the chemotherapy or radiotherapy to be given after the surgery.
Does every patient with breast cancer spread to the armpit?
70 percent of breast cancer does not spread to the armpit at the time of presentation. While all of the axillary lymph nodes in every breast cancer patient were previously removed during surgery, we can preserve the armpit of 70 percent of the patients with sentinel lymph biopsy.
What is the incidence of breast cancer?
Breast cancer is very current It is an issue and is now the most common type of cancer in women. While it used to be seen in 1 in 10-11 women, this cancer is now seen in 1 in 8 women. Early diagnosis is always important here.
What are the important steps in the treatment of Breast Cancer?
While very heavy surgeries were performed at the beginning of this century, we have started to turn to mild methods in the last half century. Breasts are no longer removed from every patient. Breast conserving surgery is in question. In addition to breast-related intervention, one of the most important parts of breast cancer treatment is the condition of the armpit.
Why is the condition of the armpit so important in breast cancer?
The armpit is very important in breast cancer. The first area where breast cancer will spread is the armpit. Although interventions on the breast in breast cancer are mild, until the last 15-20 years, there was an approach of constantly blinding and cleaning the armpit. In the last 15-20 years, we have been approaching the armpit lightly. Not every breast cancer patient needs to have their armpit cleaned anymore."
What kind of method is applied without cleaning the armpit lymph nodes?
Sentinel lymph biopsy is now applied to patients. This is an up-to-date method. Before the surgery, we pour radioactive material or a special blue dye into the breast or tumor area. This substance will spread directly to the first lymph node in the armpit. During the surgery, we first find this lymph node while the patient is sleeping. We send the lymph node to pathology while the patient is sleeping. There is a spread to the lymph node. If not, it means it has not spread to the armpit. A single lymph node There is no complication in removing it. We perform an intervention for breast cancer and wake the patient up. So we do not clean the armpit. However, if it has spread, we have to clean this area, but it is not an innocent surgery. Because once you clean the armpit, the patient has to protect that arm for life. It cannot be used like a normal arm, it needs to be protected from infection, abrasions and cuts due to the possibility of swelling. That's why you should not perform unnecessary surgery.
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