Lymph nodes are part of the body’s immune system. A swollen lymph node in the armpit may be a sign of a bacterial or viral infection, an injury, or a serious health condition, such as cancer.

or axillary, lymph node removal surgery. The surgery is performed if tests show that the cancer has spread from the breast tissue to the lymph nodes and is often followed by radiation treatment.

with documentation of negative margins by either mastectomy or lumpectomy followed by complete axillary lymph node dissection. However, lymphatic mapping of the breast has the potential of ...