Once the the surgeon identifies the lymph node, it is removed. This serves as an additional point of reference for physicians to use in combination with the imaging and Gamma probe. The dye will travel through the lymphatic system in the same manner as the radioactive tracer, turning up in the sentinel lymph node first. Some surgeons choose to modify the sentinel lymph node identification process by injecting a dye called methylene blue into the tumor. The lymph node with the greatest amount of radioactive tracer is the sentinel lymph node. (This is the same fluid that was injected into the tumor site during the imaging process). The surgeon will use the Nuclear Medicine images taken at your previous scan, as well as a special radiation-detecting probe (Gamma probe) to identify the greatest concentration of the radioactive tracer. Removal and Evaluation of the Sentinel Lymph Node Images of the scan are then taken by the patient to their scheduled biopsy. After 15 – 60 minutes, the body is scanned with radiation detectors to show how the substance travels through the lymphatic system.

The radiologist injects a radioactive substance near the tumor. The process begins in the Nuclear Medicine department of a radiology facility. It is a two step process which involves first identifying the sentinel lymph node followed by its removal and microscopic evaluation.

SLNB is done prior to the removal of the main tumor. Taking a biopsy of the sentinel lymph node will allow physicians to determine their next course of action. The first node to receive lymphatic drainage from a tumor is called the sentinel lymph node. Any surgery on the lymph nodes can lead to complications including lymphedema, but minimizing surgery on lymph nodes decreases the risk of developing these complications.The lymphatic system will make every effort to protect the body by trapping cancer cells within its lymph nodes if they have spread from the original cancer site. In the past, if any lymph node had cancer, a complete lymph node dissection was performed. Sentinel lymph node biopsy helps determine how invasive the cancer is, and therefore is also used to determine what treatment options are likely to be the most effective.Ī sentinel lymph node biopsy also may allow for the avoidance of a complete lymph node dissection. What are the benefits of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy? However, if tumor cells are detected in these first draining lymph nodes, removal of additional lymph nodes (a complete axillary lymph node dissection) may be required. Most modern medical centers worldwide now offer sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for treating melanoma and breast cancer, yet debate continues regarding. If there is no tumor in these lymph nodes, no additional lymph nodes need to be removed. This examination may be done at the time of the surgical procedure or later. These lymph nodes are surgically removed so that they can be examined by the pathologist. The dye travels through the lymphatic channels and concentrates in the first draining lymph nodes – the sentinel lymph nodes. Our nuclear medicine specialists attempt to find potentially cancerous lymph nodes by injecting a radioactive dye (with or without additional blue dye) near the original tumor location. How is a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy performed? They are usually located in the neck, underarms, chest, abdomen, and groin.Ī sentinel lymph node biopsy allows doctors to identify, remove and examine the lymph nodes for the presence of cancer cells. The sentinel lymph nodes are the first draining lymph nodes from the primary tumor location. Our doctors work with Mercy’s Nuclear Medicine specialists to help determine if any additional treatment options are needed beyond the initial surgery. Cancer surgeons of Mercy's Institute for Cancer Care in Baltimore, Maryland, typically perform a sentinel lymph node biopsy, in addition to cancer surgery, to determine whether or not tumor cells have spread beyond the original tumor location to the lymph nodes.