What is the difference between a limited and total lymphadenectomy?

Limited lymphadenectomy involves removing only the lymph nodes that are most likely to be affected by cancer. This is typically done in cases where the cancer is small and has not spread to other parts of the body.

Total lymphadenectomy involves removing all of the lymph nodes in a specific area. This is typically done in cases where the cancer is large or has spread to other parts of the body.

The type of lymphadenectomy that is performed will depend on the type of cancer and the stage of the disease.

Benefits of limited lymphadenectomy

* Less invasive

* Shorter recovery time

* Fewer potential complications

Benefits of total lymphadenectomy

* More likely to remove all of the cancer

* Lower risk of cancer recurrence

Risks of lymphadenectomy

* Lymphedema

* Nerve damage

* Arm or leg weakness

* Infection

* Pain

* Scarring

The decision of whether to perform a limited or total lymphadenectomy is a complex one that should be made by a team of doctors.