Dissection of level iii axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer

Abstract

Axillary lymph node dissection is an indispensable step in modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. It is the most reliable method and the golden standard to determine the status of axillary lymph nodes. It is also of great importance to evaluate the prognosis and develop treatment plans for breast cancer patients. Axillary lymph node dissection can be anatomically divided into levels I, II, and III. Level I and Level II axillary lymph dissection is the standard clinical treatment of axillary lymph nodes positive breast cancer, whereas level III axillary lymph node dissection has been controversial. Level III axillary lymph node metastasis is one of the important factors that can easily cause distant metastasis and recurrence. It is also an important index to estimate the prognosis of breast cancer patients. To facilitate the decision of whether or not to perform level III lymph node dissection, we reviewed the indications, complications, and surgical procedures of level III lymph node dissection.