Is Level 2 lymph node cancer?

The nodes in level II are at greatest risk of harboring metastasis from cancers that arise from the oral cavity, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, and parotid gland. Selective neck dissection levels I-III.

What is a level 2 axillary node?

The central or level II group of axillary lymph nodes is located in the fat behind the pectoralis minor muscle (Figs 6–8). These nodes receive lymph from level I nodes. Nodes are also located between the pectoralis minor and pectoralis major muscles in an area called the Rotter space (Fig 9).

What is a Level 2 neck dissection?

This refers to the removal of the upper jugular lymph nodes (level II), the middle jugular lymph nodes (level III), and the lower jugular lymph nodes (level IV). The superior limit of dissection is the skull base. The inferior limit is the clavicle.

Can a surgeon tell if a lymph node is cancerous by looking at it?

Lymph nodes deep in the body cannot be felt or seen. So doctors may use scans or other imaging tests to look for enlarged nodes that are deep in the body. Often, enlarged lymph nodes near a cancer are assumed to contain cancer. The only way to know whether there is cancer in a lymph node is to do a biopsy.

Is Grade 2 cancer curable?

This is considered early stage and most curable. Stage II. Cancer is in the organ where it first started. It may be a bit larger than stage I and/or may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Can you survive Stage 2 cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for stage 2 breast cancer is 93% for women who have completed treatment. By contrast, women with stage 3 cancer have a five-year survival rate of 72%.

Where is Level 2 of the lymph node dissection?

Level II is lying underneath the pectoralis minor muscle. Level III is above the pectoralis minor muscle. A traditional axillary lymph node dissection usually removes nodes in levels I and II. For women with invasive breast cancer, this procedure accompanies a mastectomy.

What are the Common side effects of lymph node clearance?

 Poor scarring (lumpy and itchy) at the site of the surgical incision. Uncommon problems (affecting approximately one in 1,000 patients)  Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the leg veins, often referred to as DVT).  Pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs, often referred to as PE).

What should I know about axillary node clearance?

Generally, if axillary clearance is performed, all clinically suspicious nodes should be removed, and sometimes neurovascular structures may have to be sacrificed in order to achieve radical removal of all cancerous tissue. There is undoubtedly abundant variation in the surgical technique in dissecting the axillary lymph nodes.

What are the sublevels of the lymph nodes?

There are two sublevels: level Ia (submental nodes): anteromedial between the anterior bellies of both digastric muscles. level Ib (submandibular nodes): posterolateral to the anterior belly of the digastric muscles.