wantvictory
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Posts:16
Are lymph nodes destroyed and no longer work after a fine needle biopsy?
What are the ramifications if the entire lymph node is removed?
Many thanks,
WV
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Reply # - July 10, 2014, 06:16 PM
Reply To: Lymph Node Biopsy
Hi WV,
There are many, many lymph nodes, so taking out one or a few has no effect.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - July 11, 2014, 04:06 AM
Reply To: Lymph Node Biopsy
It seems to me that lymph nodes work on a trail, so to speak, and if one is removed or damaged then there would be a backup in the lymph.
I just wonder if the the RL4 node that was fine needle biopsied is still working or damaged.
Also, I may have another supraclavicular node that will be biopsied. Will it disturb the flow of lymph and is that a problem.
Many thanks.
Reply # - July 11, 2014, 09:47 AM
Reply To: Lymph Node Biopsy
In answer to a similar question about the removal of several lymph nodes, Dr. West stated:
"There’s redundancy in most body functions, so just as you can get by quite well with a lobe or even an entire lung removed in many cases, the body doesn’t miss the loss of several lymph nodes." - http://cancergrace.org/topic/bronchioloalveolar-chemotherapy/page/2/#po…
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - July 11, 2014, 10:31 PM
Reply To: Lymph Node Biopsy
A major surgical dissection, such as in the armpit for a breast cancer surgery, can cause enough disturbance in lymphatic drainage to lead to swelling in the arm, called lymphedema. I have never heard of a lymph node biopsy or single node removal causing this kind of problem and would say that it's almost an unfathomable concern that a node being biopsied or removed will cause any significance risk other than a very small risk of bleeding or infection from the invasive biopsy procedure itself.
-Dr. West
Reply # - July 15, 2014, 04:03 PM
Reply To: Lymph Node Biopsy
Redundancy, I can understand that.
Thanks for your responses.
Reply # - July 15, 2014, 06:57 PM
Reply To: Lymph Node Biopsy
Right. It's really like worrying about how a body will manage after donating a pint of blood. There's plenty left over to do what's needed.
-Dr. West