| Apart from the physical scars, most of the | | | | postoperatively, the amount of fluid rapidly |
| discomfort and physical changes from the treatment | | | | decreases, at which time the surgeon removes the |
| are only temporary. Once the cancer patient has | | | | drain. In the presence of dissected lymph nodes, |
| worked hand in hand with her physician to come up | | | | most surgeons would advise immobilization of the |
| with an effective treatment plan, the physician can | | | | affected arm, as much as possible, for a couple of |
| provide assessments of the potential side effects | | | | days after the surgery to allow for quick wound |
| and recovery time that the she will likely experience | | | | healing and to keep lymphatic flow as minimal as |
| in relation to specific social responsibilities and future | | | | possible. Once the drain is out with the surgical |
| career. | | | | wound visibly healing, it is beneficial to begin gentle |
| The standard surgery for local control of breast | | | | and progressive exercises of the arm to prevent |
| cancer involves the removal of cancerous breast | | | | limitation of joint motion from scarring and |
| tissue. The underlying thorax muscles (pectoralis | | | | contracture. Some surgeons advise their patients to |
| major and pectoralis minor), are left unresected. This | | | | do active exercises, while others refer them for |
| advancement in breast cancer surgery has | | | | physical therapy, especially those patients who have |
| significantly reduced postoperative pain and recovery | | | | undergone lymphadenectomy (surgical removal of the |
| time, but, more importantly, patients are spared the | | | | lymph nodes). It is usual for the cancer patient to |
| long term disability of having muscles resected. If you | | | | discuss with her surgeon what the best option would |
| underwent a lumpectomy (surgical removal of a small | | | | be for her. |
| tumor or lump, which may or may not be benign or | | | | After the lymph node resection, most patients will |
| malignant) without lymph node dissection (a surgical | | | | experience numbness in the armpit area due to the |
| procedure in which the lymph nodes are removed | | | | cutting of the nerves around the armpit region. |
| and examined to see whether they contain cancer), | | | | Sensory function will often return after several |
| you will most likely have surgery and be discharged | | | | months postoperatively when the nerves have |
| on the same day. Recovery from surgery will take | | | | grown back and regenerated. On the other hand, |
| much longer if the axillary lymph nodes are also | | | | some patients will have permanent numbness and |
| removed. With the removal of the axillary lymph | | | | sensory impairment here. For those who experience |
| nodes, lymph flow of the breast is partially | | | | this disappearance of sensation, one must be extra |
| interrupted and a soft rubber tube is placed in the | | | | careful particularly in shaving underarm hair. It would |
| wound, which will serve as a temporary lymph fluid | | | | be wise to use an electric razor when doing this. |
| drainage. The length of hospital stay for lumpectomy | | | | With lymphadenectomy, a small percentage of |
| and lymph node dissection or breast resection with | | | | patients develop an obstructed vein along the inner |
| lymph node removal is usually one to two days. | | | | side of the affected upper arm that feels like a thin |
| The temporary drain from the lymph node empties | | | | cord and will likely restrict arm movement. If this |
| into an expandable container about the size of a | | | | happens, thermotherapy, specifically heat therapy |
| softball. The container is usually emptied daily and the | | | | and stretching exercises should be done to achieve |
| amount of fluid disposed is recorded. Several days | | | | the full range of arm movement again. |