Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Biopsy, Sentinel Lymph Node

Test Overview

A sentinel lymph node biopsy is a surgery that takes out lymph node tissue to look for cancer. A sentinel node biopsy is used to see if a known breast cancer or melanoma has spread from the original cancer site. A sentinel node biopsy may be done instead of a more extensive surgery called lymph node dissection. However, if cancer is found in the sentinel lymph node at the time of surgery, more surgery will be needed to remove additional lymph nodes.

The sentinel lymph node is the first node in a group of nodes in the body where cancer cells may move to after they have left the original cancer site and started to spread. For example, the sentinel node (SN) for breast cancer is normally one of the lymph nodes under the arm.

Your doctor injects a blue dye or special tracer substance or both into the area around the original cancer site. The dye or tracer moves to the first lymph node (sentinel node) that drains close to the cancer site. The dye or tracer makes a map pattern of lymphatic fluid. The map can show where the cancer is likely to spread and which lymph node is most likely to have cancer cells. Your doctor can see the dye or tracer with a special device. The lymph node can be taken out, cut into very thin slices, and looked at under a microscope at the time of surgery. If a sentinel node is positive for cancer cells, additional surgery is done to remove more lymph nodes.

Other tests, such as a culture, genetic tests, or immunological tests, may be done on the lymph node sample.

	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Carrie Henley Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: June 12, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology Brent Shoji, MD - General Surgery
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.