During breast cancer surgery, how many lymph nodes may need to be removed?

The correct response highlights a common practice in breast cancer surgery known as sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection, where typically a number of lymph nodes are removed to assess the spread of cancer. The removal of 1 to 10 or more lymph nodes is often necessary because surgeons aim to determine if cancer has metastasized to the lymphatic system, which is crucial for staging the cancer and deciding on further treatment options.

Removing a small number of lymph nodes can provide essential information while minimizing complications. In certain cases, depending on how advanced the cancer is or if cancer cells are present in the sentinel lymph node(s), more than a couple may be taken to ensure thorough evaluation. The practice of lymph node removal helps to prevent the spread of cancer and can influence the overall treatment plan for the patient, making it an integral part of managing breast cancer.