Sentinel lymph node biopsy
Explanation
A sentinel lymph node biopsy removes one or a few selected lymph nodes to check for cancer cells. Lymph nodes are small structures in the immune system. Sentinel nodes are the first lymph nodes that fluid from the tumor area drains into. They are where cancer cells are most likely to spread first.
How are the nodes selected?
A dye or a small amount of radioactive material helps the surgeon locate nodes that receive fluid draining from the tumor area. These may include more than one node. The removed tissue is examined for cancer cells. The procedure is used in selected cancers, including breast cancer and melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
What does the result mean?
A positive result means cancer cells were found in the sampled node or nodes. It does not by itself mean that cancer has spread to distant organs. A negative result means no cancer cells were found in the examined tissue, but the test can sometimes miss spread.
Will more lymph nodes need to be removed?
The biopsy helps guide this decision, but does not settle it by itself. Further surgery or other treatment depends on the type of cancer, the biopsy findings and the rest of the assessment.
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