Level I and II axillary dissection in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer. An analysis of 259 consecutive patients

B. M. Siegel, K. A. Mayzel and S. M. Love
Faulkner Breast Centre, Faulkner Hospital, Jamaica Plain, Mass. 02130.

Level I and II axillary dissection involves anatomic dissection of levels I and II of the axilla without clearance of the axillary vein or placement of drains. The results of level I and II axillary dissection with breast conservation in a consecutive series of 259 patients treated from 1981 through 1988, with a mean follow-up of 22.5 months (median, 27.1 months) were reviewed. The number of nodes removed ranged from two to 24, with a mean of nine. Axillary seroma was the most frequent complication (11 patients [4.2%]). Lymphedema was observed in seven patients (2.7%). Axillary recurrences occurred in two patients. These results indicate that a level I and II axillary dissection defined anatomically allows prognostic evaluation while limiting morbidity and recurrence. In addition, this procedure can be done safely without drains on an outpatient basis, with further psychological and economic benefits.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Axillary Lymph Nodes Suspicious for Breast Cancer Metastasis: Sampling with US-guided 14-Gauge Core-Needle Biopsy--Clinical Experience in 100 Patients
Abe et al.
Radiology 2008;0:2493071483.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

US-guided Core Needle Biopsy of Axillary Lymph Nodes in Patients with Breast Cancer: Why and How to Do It
Abe et al.
RadioGraphics 2007;27:S91-S99.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Micrometastases in Sentinel Lymph Node in a Multicentric Study: Predictive Factors of Nonsentinel Lymph Node Involvement--Groupe Des Chirurgiens De La Federation Des Centres De Lutte Contre Le Cancer
Houvenaeghel et al.
JCO 2006;24:1814-1822.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Long-Term Complications of Breast-Conservation Therapy: Can the Incidence Be Reduced?
Beenken and Bland
Ann. Surg. Oncol. 2002;9:524-525.
FULL TEXT  

Axillary Padding as an Alternative to Closed Suction Drain for Ambulatory Axillary Lymphadenectomy: A Prospective Cohort of 207 Patients With Early Breast Cancer
Classe et al.
Arch Surg 2002;137:169-172.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Role of Axillary Node Dissection in Patients With T1a and T1b Breast Cancer: Mayo Clinic Experience
Mincey et al.
Arch Surg 2001;136:779-782.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Development and Validation of a Telephone Questionnaire to Characterize Lymphedema in Women Treated for Breast Cancer
Norman et al.
ptjournal 2001;81:1192-1205.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Patient Preferences for Axillary Dissection in the Management of Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Galper et al.
JNCI J Natl Cancer Inst 2000;92:1681-1687.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

10-Year Results After Sector Resection With or Without Postoperative Radiotherapy for Stage I Breast Cancer: A Randomized Trial
Liljegren et al.
JCO 1999;17:2326-2326.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT