Abstract:Objective:To study the effect of partial axillary lymph node dissection in patients with stage I and II breast cancer. Methods:One hundred and ten patients with stage I and II breast cancer were randomly selected to partial axillary lymph node dissection(PLA) and 110 patients to total axillary lymph node dissection(TAL).After modified mastectomy,partial axillary lymph node dissection(level I,II lymph nodes) was performed in PLA group, and total lymph node dissection was performed in TAL group.The long-term positive relapse rate and upper limb function between the 2 groups were compared.Results:At 5-10-years follow-up,there were 4 cases(3.8%) of local chest recurrence,and 1 case of recurrence in axillary lymph nodes in PAL group; and 5 cases(4.9%) of local chest recurrence,and no case of recurrence in axillary lymph nodes in TAL group.There was no statistical difference between PAL group and TAL group（P＞0.05）. There were 5 cases(4.7%) of upper limb edema and functional handicap in PAL group, and 12 cases(11.7%) of upper limb edema and functional handicap in TAL group, there was a statistical difference between PAL group and TAL group(P＜0.01) . There was no obvious statistical difference in five-year and ten-year survival rates between PAL group and TAL group(P＜0.01).Conclusions:Partial axillary lymph node dissection may reduce upper limb functional handicap after operation in patients with stage I and II breast cancer,and does not increase prognostic risk.