[2][3][4] Lymphadenectomies are usually done because many types of cancer have a marked tendency to produce lymph node metastasis early in their natural histories.

[citation needed] For clinical stages I and II breast cancer, axillary lymph node dissection should only be performed after first attempting a sentinel node biopsy.

[5] It is also less risky than performing a lymphadenectomy, having fewer side effects and a much lower chance of causing lymphedema.

Extensive resection of lymphatic tissue can lead to the formation of a lymphocele.

[6] This article incorporates public domain material from Dictionary of Cancer Terms.