Managing the lymph nodes in the armpit (axilla) is critical for staging and preventing recurrence:
This involves removing the entire mammary gland. Depending on the case, skin-sparing or nipple-sparing techniques may be used to facilitate breast reconstruction , which can be performed immediately or as a secondary procedure. Axillary Management (Lymph Nodes)
This minimally invasive technique identifies and removes only the first few lymph nodes that drain the breast. It is the standard for patients with no clinical signs of nodal involvement.
Also known as a tumorectomy or partial mastectomy, this procedure removes only the tumor and a safety margin of healthy tissue. It is often combined with oncoplastic techniques to optimize aesthetic outcomes.
Authoritative guidelines and practice manuals for locoregional surgery include:
Clinical guidelines for surgical decision-making and follow-up care.
A more extensive removal of lymph nodes (typically 7–9), recommended if malignancy is confirmed in the axilla through biopsy or if SLNB results are positive. Complementary Locoregional Therapy