Axillary Dissection

Abstract

Axillary dissection represents an evaluation of the axillary lymph node basin to provide prognostic and therapeutic value for cancer patients. Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is most commonly utilized in breast cancer but has applications in the treatment of other malignant neoplasms that may drain to the axillary lymphatics. ALND offers pathologic staging of cancer, therapeutic removal of clinically apparent axillary disease, and the removal of lymph nodes with possible subclinical disease following sentinel lymph node biopsy. The anatomy of the axillary space and technique of axillary dissection are discussed in detail in the chapter text.