Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Breast Cancer

Your doctor has recommended a sentinel lymph node biopsy as part of your surgery for breast cancer.  The sentinel nodes are the first nodes that drain the lymphatic fluids from a tumor area.  They are often found in the armpit on the side of the breast with the tumor.  These nodes should be the first to show cancer cells.  If there is no cancer in the sentinel node(s), it is not likely that cancer is present in other lymph nodes.  In many cases, the biopsy can be done instead of taking out a large number of lymph nodes.  There are often fewer side effects when fewer nodes are removed.

 

Procedure

 

This procedure begins in Nuclear Medicine where a tracer is injected around the tumor area and in the skin of the breast.  The tracer travels from breast tissue to the lymph nodes.  This may be done on the day before or on the day of surgery.  The biopsy is then done at the same time as the breast surgery.  At that time, the surgeon will inject blue dye around the tumor site.  The dye and/or tracer create a map of the lymph nodes showing which ones need to be removed.  After the correct nodes are removed, the pathologist will inspect the nodes for cancer.

 

Side Effects

 

The blue dye may cause the skin of the breast to stain blue for a few weeks.  The dye may cause the urine to look green/blue for 24 hours.

 

In most cases only a few lymph nodes will be removed.  If there are abnormal looking nodes or if the sentinel node cannot be found, your doctor may need to remove more axillary (armpit) nodes.

 

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 06/06/2007

Copyright © 04/01/2005 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5695

Print Health Fact For You