What are Lymph Nodes?

Lymph is a fluid that carries infection-fighting WBC along with fluid & waste products from cells & tissues of the body. Lymph nodes a tiny round organs that are part of the lymphatic system which in turn is a part of the body’s immune system.

What is a Sentinel Lymph Node?

Sentinel lymph node is the first node into which the tumour is most likely to drain. In certain cases, there may be more than one sentinel lymph node.

What is Sentinel Node Biopsy?

Sentinel Node Biopsy is also known as Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy or Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection. It is a commonly used surgical procedure to identify, remove & determine whether the cancer has spread into the lymphatic system. This is done in patients already diagnosed with cancer.

If the biopsy does not identify any cancer cells in the sentinel nodes, it indicates that the cancer is unlikely to spread to lymph nodes. However, if the biopsy is positive, there is a high change that cancer would spread into other surrounding lymph nodes. In such cases, the patient may be recommended to have the lymph nodes removed.

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How is Sentinel Node Biopsy done?

The first step is to identify the sentinel node. There are two ways of going about it:

• Radioactive Solution: A weak radioactive solution is injected near the tumour. Once the solution is absorbed by lymphatic system, it goes into the sentinel nodes. The solution is generally injected a day before the surgical procedure.
• Blue Dye: A blue dye is injected into the area close to the tumour. The dye stains the sentinel nodes bright blue. The dye is injected just before the surgery to remove the nodes.

During the surgery, all the sentinel nodes are removed by making a small incision. The nodes are then sent to the pathology for examination.

Sentinel Node Biopsy is a simple surgical procedure and the patient can generally go home on the same day.

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Are there any complications?

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy is generally a safe surgery. But like any other surgery, certain risks may be involved:

• Bleeding
• Pain
• Inflammation
• Infection
• Allergic Reaction
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Advantages

• Avoid a radical lymph node dissection in patients with negative sentinel lymph nodes
• Complications of lymphadenectomy like Lymphedema & pain can be avoided
• Accurately identify the nodes where the disease could be detected
• Can detect early spread as these lymph nodes can be examined extensively
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Cancers where sentinel lymph node biopsy is used ?

• Breast cancer
• Melanoma
• Endometrial cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Head & Neck cancers

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