Tartaczna 2
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Lymph node removal, also referred to as lymph node excision, is a surgical procedure performed most commonly for diagnostic or oncological purposes. Not every enlarged lymph node requires surgery. In many cases, the diagnostic process begins with a medical examination, ultrasound, blood tests and, when appropriate, a needle biopsy. Surgical excision is considered when the entire lymph node needs to be assessed histopathologically or when removal is required as part of an oncological treatment plan.
At Tartaczna 2 Medical Centre in Gdańsk, qualification for lymph node excision and selected surgical procedures is provided by doctors specialising in surgical oncology. The diagnostic and surgical approach is selected individually according to the location of the lymph node, previous test results and the suspected cause of lymph node enlargement.
The most common situations in which lymph node excision may be considered include:
It is important to distinguish between removal of a single lymph node and extensive removal of multiple lymph nodes from one anatomical region. The extent of surgery affects the treatment approach, recovery period and risk of complications.
The procedure involves surgical removal of the entire lymph node, or an appropriate tissue sample in selected situations, through a skin incision. If the lymph node is superficial and easily accessible, the procedure may often be performed under local anaesthesia. For deeper lesions, the extent of surgery and type of anaesthesia are determined individually.
The removed lymph node is submitted for histopathological examination. Assessment of the architecture of the entire lymph node may provide considerably more diagnostic information than examination of individual cells obtained through fine-needle aspiration.
This is particularly important when lymphoma is suspected, as establishing a definitive diagnosis may require assessment of the structure of the entire lymph node.
Before surgery, a surgical oncologist assesses the location and size of the lymph node, imaging results, previous diagnostic tests, coexisting medical conditions and the indication for surgery. This allows the most appropriate extent of the procedure and type of anaesthesia to be selected.
At Tartaczna 2 Medical Centre, consultations in surgical oncology in Gdańsk and selected procedures involving the removal of superficially located lymph nodes are performed by Dr Natalia Spychalska and Dr Kamil Drucis.
The most important issue is to establish why the procedure is being performed. In some cases, the aim is to determine the cause of lymph node enlargement, while in others the procedure forms part of the diagnosis, staging or treatment of malignant disease.
One example of a specialised oncological procedure is sentinel lymph node assessment, in which the first lymph node or group of lymph nodes receiving lymphatic drainage from a particular area is evaluated to determine whether malignant disease has spread. The indication and extent of such procedures depend on the type of cancer and the individual treatment plan.
Before surgery, the doctor reviews the location of the lymph node, imaging findings, coexisting medical conditions and the planned extent of the procedure. This allows the expected benefits and possible risks of surgery to be discussed with the patient.
After removal of a single lymph node, temporary pain, tenderness, mild swelling or bruising around the surgical wound may occur. A seroma, which is a collection of fluid at the surgical site, may occasionally develop. Small fluid collections often resolve spontaneously, while larger seromas may require medical review and drainage.
The patient receives instructions regarding wound care, dressings, physical activity and postoperative follow-up. The histopathology report is particularly important for further management, as it establishes the nature of the lesion and helps determine the next stage of diagnosis or treatment.
As with any surgical procedure, possible complications include bleeding, wound infection, haematoma, seroma and postoperative pain. The type and likelihood of complications depend partly on the location of the lymph node and the extent of surgery.
When surgery is performed close to important anatomical structures, there is also a small risk of injury to adjacent nerves or blood vessels. If only a single lymph node is removed, the risk of lymphoedema is generally low and is substantially lower than after extensive removal of multiple lymph nodes from one anatomical region.
The lymph node removed during surgery is submitted for histopathological examination. The tissue is assessed by a specialist pathologist. At Tartaczna 2 Medical Centre, pathology assessment and consultations are provided by Dr Artur Antolak.
If malignant disease is diagnosed and consultation regarding further treatment is required, patients can also consult clinical oncologist and radiation oncologist Dr Magdalena Korożan.
At Tartaczna 2 Medical Centre in Gdańsk, we provide surgical consultations and selected surgical oncology procedures, including excision of superficially located lymph nodes for histopathological examination.
Procedures are performed by surgical oncologists Dr Natalia Spychalska and Dr Kamil Drucis. Histopathological material is assessed by specialist pathologist Dr Artur Antolak.
Book a consultation with a surgeon in Gdańsk through our website (e-mail or telephone contact) or via ZnanyLekarz: Dr Natalia Spychalska, Dr Kamil Drucis.
The key issue is not simply removal of the lymph node, but appropriate qualification for surgery, correct planning of the extent of the procedure and accurate histopathological assessment of the removed tissue. This makes it possible to establish a diagnosis and plan further treatment safely and precisely.
Please note that the waiting time for a histopathology report is approximately 30 days.
