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sentinel lymph node biopsy

(SEN-tih-nul limf node BY-op-see)
Removal and examination of the sentinel node(s) (the first lymph node(s) to which cancer cells are likely to spread from a primary tumor). To identify the sentinel lymph node(s), the surgeon injects a radioactive substance, blue dye, or both near the tumor. The surgeon then uses a probe to find the sentinel lymph node(s) containing the radioactive substance or looks for the lymph node(s) stained with dye. The surgeon then removes the sentinel node(s) to check for the presence of cancer cells.
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Sentinel lymph node biopsy of the skin. The first of three panels shows a radioactive substance and/or blue dye injected near the tumor; the middle panel shows that the injected material is followed visually and/or with a probe that detects radioactivity to find the sentinel nodes (the first lymph nodes to take up the material); the third panel shows the removal of the tumor and the sentinel nodes to check for cancer cells.Enlarge this image in new window
Sentinel lymph node biopsy of the skin. A radioactive substance and/or blue dye is injected near the tumor (first panel). The injected material is detected visually and/or with a probe that detects radioactivity (middle panel). The sentinel nodes (the first lymph nodes to take up the material) are removed and checked for cancer cells (last panel).
Sentinel lymph node biopsy of the breast; the first panel shows a radioactive substance and/or blue dye being injected near the tumor; the second panel shows that the injected material is followed visually and/or with a probe that detects radioactivity to find the sentinel nodes (the first lymph nodes to which cancer cells are likely to spread from a primary tumor); and the third panel shows the removal of the tumor and the sentinel nodes to check for cancer cells.Enlarge this image in new window
Sentinel lymph node biopsy of the breast. A radioactive substance and/or blue dye is injected near the tumor (first panel). The injected material is followed visually and/or with a probe that detects radioactivity to find the sentinel nodes (the first lymph nodes to which cancer cells are likely to spread from a primary tumor) (second panel). The sentinel nodes are removed and checked for cancer cells (third panel). A sentinel lymph node biopsy is usually done at the same time the primary tumor is removed, but it can also be done before or after the tumor is removed.
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