Axillary Dissection

Axillary dissection is a surgical procedure that incises the axilla, the armpit or underarm area of the body, usually to identify, examine or remove lymph nodes. It is commonly used in treating the underarm area of women being treated for breast cancer, where the affected lymph nodes are called the sentinel lymph nodes, essential to the lymphatic and immune system through their role in filtering unrecognized particles and molecules. The idea of treating breast cancer with axillary dissection was introduced in the 18th century by the German physician Lorenz Heister. Patients carry three different levels of axillary lymph nodes, and the level involved helps determine whether a patient is a candidate for the procedure.