![]() ![]() If the sentinel lymph node biopsy detects cancer cells, the surgeon removes all local lymph nodes or destroys them with radiation therapy or does both surgery and radiation therapy. The surgeon removes the sentinel lymph nodes and sends them for lab examination.It first reaches the lymph nodes in the armpit (axilla) close to the breast. Breast cancer can spread to other parts of the body. A positive sentinel lymph node biopsy or SLNB indicates that the cancer is no longer in situ. Axillary lymph node dissection, the traditional method of staging breast cancer, is associated with significant morbidity. The first nodes in the axilla affected by breast cancer are known as sentinel or guardian lymph nodes. The path from the tumor to the sentinel lymph nodes is mapped using an instrument that detects the tracer. Axillary lymph node status is the single most important prognostic indicator in patients with breast cancer.Knowing the stage of your cancer helps your doctors create an appropriate treatment plan for you. If the cancer has spread to a lymph node, you have stage III melanoma. A dye or a tracer material is injected into the site of the tumor to help the surgeon locate the sentinel nodes during the procedure. Having a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) can tell whether cancer cells have spread to a nearby lymph node.It also helps the doctor know the patient’s chances of recovery (prognosis). This helps them plan appropriate treatment for the patient. Sentinel lymph node biopsy or SLNB helps the doctor know about the stage of the cancer. It is a minimally invasive surgery with a low risk of side effects. Thus, if your doctor suggests, you should consider going for the procedure for timely diagnosis and early management of your cancer.Ī sentinel lymph node biopsy is a surgical procedure in which a few lymph nodes nearest to the tumor are removed and examined for the presence of cancer cells. Sentinel lymph node biopsy also helps to know the chances of recovery and survival of the cancer patient. ![]() If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the person may need a bigger surgery that involves the removal of the regional lymph nodes besides the primary tumor. When cancer, such as cancer of the vulva or cervix, begins to spread, it often first goes to the lymph node near the cancer. It is also the site where lymph, a clear fluid containing the white blood cells, is filtered. The lymphatic system is involved in the formations of the white blood cells or WBCs. Lymph nodes are small glands that are part of the lymphatic system. If the cancer has spread into the lymph nodes, it means the disease has spread beyond its original site (the primary tumor). The management of various cancers largely depends on the stage of the disease. Thus, knowing the status of sentinel lymph nodes is crucial in the management of cancers. This means that there may not be a need to remove the lymph nodes in the region where the cancer is present. Experts suggest that if the sentinel nodes do not show any cancer cells, the other nodes will also be devoid of cancer. The first lymph nodes that drain lymph fluid from the primary tumor are called sentinel lymph nodes. ![]()
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