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Re: Swelling?
The removal or radiation of a single node can disrupt the lymphatic drainage of the breast and/or arm. Do not let any person tell you otherwise. A recent clinical study on a rabbit demonstrated that irradiation of a single lymph node in the leg of the rabbit caused a 40% reduction in lymph drainage and the start of lymphedema -- the same effect as would result from the surgical removal of that lymph node. The sentinel node removed in diagnosing whether a breast tumor has spread, especially if it is in the upper-outer quadrant of the breast, can disrupt the drainage of lymph from the breast and result in breast or chest lymphedema, and if in the chain of lymph nodes draining the arm can result in lymphedema of the arm and/or hand.
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