Final answer:
The removal of one to three axillary nodes for testing occurs during a sentinel node biopsy, which is a procedure to check if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The removal of one to three axillary nodes for testing is included in a sentinel node biopsy. A sentinel node biopsy is a surgical procedure used to determine if cancer, such as breast cancer, has spread to the lymph nodes. During this procedure, the first few lymph nodes into which a tumor drains (sentinel nodes) are identified and removed to be examined for the presence of cancer cells. This differs from an axillary node dissection, where many lymph nodes in the armpit area are removed, and from sentinel node mapping, which is a technique used to locate the sentinel nodes. A lumpectomy is the surgical removal of a breast tumor along with some of the surrounding tissue.