Sentinel Lymph Node Surgery
Axillary Lymph Node Dissection
All lymph node procedures carry some risk of arm swelling called lymphedema. This occurs in 3 to 8 percent of patients having a sentinel lymph node biopsy, and 15 percent of women having an axillary lymph node dissection. Although there is no way to absolutely prevent lymphedema, certain factors are known to increase its risk. These include obesity, postoperative infections, and radiation after lymph node removal. There are some techniques to minimize the risk of lymphedema; please click here to learn how.