Lymph Node Dissection in West Bengal

Will lymph node removal cause swelling in my arm or leg?

Yes, there is a risk of lymphedema, a chronic swelling from disrupted lymphatic drainage, particularly after more extensive dissections, and your medical team will guide preventive exercises and monitoring.

Why not just remove all lymph nodes to be safe?

Removing more nodes than necessary increases the risk of complications like lymphedema without added benefit, which is why sentinel node biopsy is used first to guide how extensive the dissection truly needs to be.

How is lymph node dissection recovery different from the main cancer surgery?

Recovery time adds to the primary surgery's timeline, generally two to six weeks, with specific attention to wound drainage and arm or leg mobility exercises to reduce swelling risk.

Will I need additional treatment after lymph node dissection?

If cancer is found in the removed nodes, your oncology team will likely recommend additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation to address any remaining microscopic disease.

Can lymphedema be treated if it develops?

Yes, compression garments, specialized massage techniques, and physiotherapy can effectively manage lymphedema, and early intervention with a lymphedema specialist gives the best results.