Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is It The Same As The Risk For Someone With Radical Breast Cancer Surgery ?
Question: Hello,
My brother (31 years old) otherwise healthy and fit, had some nodules on the lower right Axillary region, it wasn’t painful but he was bothered by it so opted for removal. Doctor initially thought it is hydradenitis following ultrasound report.
However, following excision surgery it turned out to be reactive lymph nodes from tattoo ink pigment absorption.
My brother has three tattoos on his right arm and recently had laser removal for the largest one. The biopsy report is attached.
I was concerned when I saw 14 lymph nodes were removed ! My main concern was Lymphedema risk.
I saw the doctor and he explained that it is unusual for such a small area to have 14 lymph nodes, and that his risk is low because he only removed a very small part of lower Axilla (they were worried about melanoma because of the way the lymph nodes looked with the ink) but he didn’t touch level II or level III nodes or area at all.
I am still worried about my brother’s risk of Lymphedema with this many lymph nodes removed from level I.
Is his risk for Lymphedema high ? Is it the same as the risk for someone with radical breast cancer surgery ?
Is it possible to have 14 lymph nodes only in lower Axilla level I ? He showed me the cut and it was indeed very low in the Axilla and relatively small.
Biopsy report is attached. He asked pathologist to also take a second look at specimen and LN count.
My brother (31 years old) otherwise healthy and fit, had some nodules on the lower right Axillary region, it wasn’t painful but he was bothered by it so opted for removal. Doctor initially thought it is hydradenitis following ultrasound report.
However, following excision surgery it turned out to be reactive lymph nodes from tattoo ink pigment absorption.
My brother has three tattoos on his right arm and recently had laser removal for the largest one. The biopsy report is attached.
I was concerned when I saw 14 lymph nodes were removed ! My main concern was Lymphedema risk.
I saw the doctor and he explained that it is unusual for such a small area to have 14 lymph nodes, and that his risk is low because he only removed a very small part of lower Axilla (they were worried about melanoma because of the way the lymph nodes looked with the ink) but he didn’t touch level II or level III nodes or area at all.
I am still worried about my brother’s risk of Lymphedema with this many lymph nodes removed from level I.
Is his risk for Lymphedema high ? Is it the same as the risk for someone with radical breast cancer surgery ?
Is it possible to have 14 lymph nodes only in lower Axilla level I ? He showed me the cut and it was indeed very low in the Axilla and relatively small.
Biopsy report is attached. He asked pathologist to also take a second look at specimen and LN count.
Brief Answer:
Lymphedema risk low
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query. I understand your concerns.
I agree that by just removal of few enlarged lymph nodes, getting 14 nodes is not usual. But number of lymph nodes may vary between individuals. So sometimes we may get large number of lymph nodes in a small sample. If the pathologist is meticulous, then more nodes are expected.
As the scar is small, most likely the surgeon didn't dissect a large area and hence lymphedema risk should be quite low. Certainly less than axillary nodal dissection in breast cancer.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Lymphedema risk low
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query. I understand your concerns.
I agree that by just removal of few enlarged lymph nodes, getting 14 nodes is not usual. But number of lymph nodes may vary between individuals. So sometimes we may get large number of lymph nodes in a small sample. If the pathologist is meticulous, then more nodes are expected.
As the scar is small, most likely the surgeon didn't dissect a large area and hence lymphedema risk should be quite low. Certainly less than axillary nodal dissection in breast cancer.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
biopsy report attached
Brief Answer:
It's 6 cm only
Detailed Answer:
the length is 6 cm, not very long, and depth only 0.8 cm. So risk of lymphedema should be low.
Regards
It's 6 cm only
Detailed Answer:
the length is 6 cm, not very long, and depth only 0.8 cm. So risk of lymphedema should be low.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Would level II lymph nodes be excised at this depth ? Or only level I ?
Are lymph II lymph nodes at a deeper depth than 0.8cm ?
Are lymph II lymph nodes at a deeper depth than 0.8cm ?
Brief Answer:
Unlikely for level II be dissected
Detailed Answer:
Level II are usually at a greater depth. Most likely they have taken out level I only. level I+II +III is usually greater than 30 nodes.
Regards
Unlikely for level II be dissected
Detailed Answer:
Level II are usually at a greater depth. Most likely they have taken out level I only. level I+II +III is usually greater than 30 nodes.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
