Breast Cancer Lymph Node Radiation

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This video explains that some women may benefit from lymph node radiation after breast surgery if cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes during surgery. The treatment involves radiation to the chest wall or reconstructed breast, and in cases where a lymph node is involved, the radiation field is extended to cover the lymph node basins that drain the breast. The risks of adding lymph node radiation to standard breast radiation are similar to breast radiation alone, but the risk of lymphedema may be higher.

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‍Read the full video transcript below:

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Some women benefit from lymph node radiation after breast surgery. 

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Lymph node radiation may happen after either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. In either case, the normal lymph nodes are examined during surgery, and if the pathologist identifies cancer cells in a lymph node, usually those women will benefit from the addition of radiation after they've fully healed from surgery.

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Here in green, we're showing the post-radiation field, in this case after a mastectomy covering the entire chest wall or reconstructed breast, but it would be the same field after a lumpectomy. In a situation where a lymph node is involved, the entire radiation field is extended upward to cover the lymph node basins that drain the breast. This is shown here in yellow.

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The risks of adding lymph node radiation to standard breast radiation are very similar to breast radiation alone, with one caveat: that the risk of lymphedema is higher after surgery on the lymph nodes and the addition of radiation on top of that. 

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Lymphedema is a condition in which fluid can build up in the arm and hand of women who have lymph node surgery and radiation. Patients who experience this may be referred to a lymphedema clinic for compression sleeves or physical therapy.

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This is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before making any medical decisions.

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