Comparison of side effects between sentinel lymph node and axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer.

Background: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is often associated with permanent arm side effects. Side effects after sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) should be less common, because the surgery is less extensive.

Methods: The study compared side effects and interference with daily life between 169 women who underwent an SLND and 78 who underwent an ALND for breast cancer.