What is Breast wide excision and axillary sample?

Breast wide excision and axillary sample

Not many of us are aware about the real procedure and meaning of breast wide excision and axillary sample. If one has a small cancer or suspicious lump in the breast, the removal of the diseased part with a clear rim of the healthy breast and the removal of some glands from the axilla at the same time consists of the wide excision and axillary sample procedure. These glands are small cluster of cells connected to tiny draining pipes in the breast and axilla called lymphatics.
The glands get affected and get enlarged when the cancer cells or tumor is maligned and spreads through the body. These glands are removed, all of them from the armpit, which is known as axillary clearance. The breast tissues and the axilla glands are microscopically tested in the lab to determine if the lesion in the breast is cancer and whether it has spread to the axilla glands. The future course of treatment is decided upon these test results.
The operation procedure includes administering general anesthesia and then making an incision in the breast skin over the swelling. The problematic area with a rim of breast tissue or sometimes a piece of skin is taken out. The glands are often taken from the armpit through this incision, in case it is nearer or else second cut is made. This may result in slightly smaller breasts. The duration of operation can be around 45 minutes.  The fine plastic drainage tube in the wound is to drain any residual blood or other fluid and the skin is closed with stitches or steri-strips.
One should be very careful after the operation and should report in case of any abnormalities.