Cancer Treatment Centers of America
To discuss your treatment options please call 1-800-615-3055 anytime.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Learn More About Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Chat with Us | Email Us

Advanced Diagnostics: Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Our cancer doctors use a sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for cancer diagnosis and staging. This procedure helps us determine whether cancer has metastasized (spread) to the axillary lymph nodes (lymph glands under the arm).

In a sentinel lymph node biopsy, a radioactive substance and/or a dye is injected near the tumor site. Then, the first lymph nodes that pick up the dye (called the sentinel lymph nodes) are removed and reviewed by a pathologist to check for the presence of cancer cells. This procedure is sometimes preferred to standard lymph node dissection because it involves removing fewer lymph nodes.

A sentinel lymph node biopsy is commonly used in breast cancer treatment. Since it helps to spare lymph nodes in the underarm area, this procedure may help to prevent a condition known as lymphedema, in which excess fluid collects in tissue and causes swelling.

Diagnostics

Click to have us call you

Chat Now.We're here 24/7.

Watch Cancer Videos