Radical lymph node dissection
Encyclopedia
Radical lymph node dissection is a surgical procedure to remove most or all of the lymph nodes that drain lymph
from the area around a tumor
. The lymph nodes are then examined under a microscope
to see if cancer cells have spread to them.
Lymph
Lymph is considered a part of the interstitial fluid, the fluid which lies in the interstices of all body tissues. Interstitial fluid becomes lymph when it enters a lymph capillary...
from the area around a tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
. The lymph nodes are then examined under a microscope
Microscope
A microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye. The science of investigating small objects using such an instrument is called microscopy...
to see if cancer cells have spread to them.
External links
- Radical lymph node dissection entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms