My mother in law just had a lumpectomy. she had her sentinal lymph node removed. does it grow back? if not, how does the breast drain?

Sentinel lymph node: Hi, No sentinel lymph node doesn't grow back, She needs to elevate her arm and use Prophylactic compression garments which can be ordered by her surgeon and also Physical therapy to prevent edema.

Other routes: the body has multiple nodes that drain that area and if one is removed others usually take over and help the breast drain fluid

Lymph nodes: Many other lymph nodes will still be present after sentinel node removal.

No- not a problem: Sentinel lymph nodes are removed to detect metastatic cancer. The sentinel node is the first to which the cancer will spread and is detected by shooting dye into the lymphatic system. If a single or a few lymph nodes are removed it should';t cause lymphedema or problems with drainage. Excercises can help alleviate lymphdema which would be expected to increase with # of nodes removed.