Objective To study the effects of partial axillary lymph node dissection (PALD) on prognosis and upper limb function in patients with breast cancer.
Methods Ninety-eight breast cancer patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ were randomly divided into two groups and different surgical procedures following modified mastectomy were performed: partial axillary lymph node (level Ⅰ and Ⅱ) dissection (PALD) group (n=48) and total axillary lymph node (levelⅠ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ) dissection (TALD) group (n=50). The longterm positive relapse rate and upper limb function between 2 groups were compared.
Results During the follow-up of 5 to 10 years (average 4.5 years), there were 2 cases (4.2%) of local recurrence on chest wall and one case (2.1%) of recurrence in axillary lymph node and one case (2.1%) of recurrence in supraclavicular lymph node in PALD group, and 2 cases (4.0%) of local recurrence on chest wall and no axillary lymph node recurrence and one case (2.0%) of recurrence in supraclavicular lymph node happened in TALD group. There was no statistical difference between PALD group and TALD group (P gt;0.05). The incidence of upper limb edema and dysfunction was 4.2% (2/48) in PALD group and 16.0%(8/50) in TALD group (P<0.01). There was no significant statistical difference of 5year and 10year survival rate between PALD group and TALD group (89.6% vs. 88.0%, 79.2% vs. 78.0%,P gt;0.05).
Conclusion PALD may reduce upper limb dysfunction after operation in patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ breast cancer, and does not increase prognostic risk.
Citation: CHEN Xianyou,CHEN Yuquan. Long-Term Effects of Partial Axillary Dissection in Modified Radical Mastectomy of Breast Cancer. CHINESE JOURNAL OF BASES AND CLINICS IN GENERAL SURGERY, 2009, 16(7): 527-530. doi: Copy