Sentinel lymph node biopsy

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a medical procedure used to determine if cancer has spread (or "metastasized") to the lymph nodes. The procedure is commonly used in diagnosing and staging breast cancer and melanoma, but can also be used for other types of cancer.

Procedure

The sentinel lymph node is the first lymph node to which cancer cells are most likely to spread from a primary tumor. To identify the sentinel lymph node, the surgeon injects a radioactive substance, blue dye, or both near the tumor. The substances travel through the lymphatic vessels to the sentinel nodes. The surgeon then uses a device that detects radioactivity to find the sentinel nodes.

Uses

The main advantage of SLNB is that it allows the surgeon to target the lymph nodes most likely to contain cancer cells, reducing the need for more extensive lymph node surgery and its associated side effects.

Risks

As with any surgical procedure, SLNB carries some risks, including infection, allergic reaction to the dye, and lymphedema (swelling caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system).

See also

• Lymph node
• Cancer staging
• Breast cancer
• Melanoma

External links

• National Cancer Institute: Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Sentinel lymph node biopsy Resources
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