In some cases of breast cancer, many of the axillary lymph nodes are removed, wh
ID: 271575 • Letter: I
Question
In some cases of breast cancer, many of the axillary lymph nodes are removed, why are injection not usually done on affected arm? In some cases of breast cancer, many of the axillary lymph nodes are removed, why are injection not usually done on affected arm? In some cases of breast cancer, many of the axillary lymph nodes are removed, why are injection not usually done on affected arm? In some cases of breast cancer, many of the axillary lymph nodes are removed, why are injection not usually done on affected arm?Explanation / Answer
Answer:
During the treatment of breast cancer injections are not done on the affected arm and its recommended to use the unaffected for taking blood or blood pressure reading. This is done so to prevent the risk of lymphoedema (swelling of the arm or chest on the side of the breast cancer surgery due to the flow of lymph fluid to the injured site). Removal of lymph nodes also blocks the drainage from the arm and causes accumulation of fluid.Therefore, injections in veins are usually given in the unaffected arm.
However, there is no strong evidence that drawing blood or measuring blood pressure (using an arm cuff) from affected arm will cause lymphoedema.
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