A sentinel lymph node biopsy is the removal and testing of specific lymph node tissue called sentinal nodes. The sentinal nodes are the lymph nodes to which cancer would spread first.

Lymph Node Biopsy

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Reasons for Procedure

This biopsy is done to determine if cancer cells have spread from the tumor to nearby lymph nodes. Cancer often spreads from the tumor to the nearest lymph node or nodes. These lymph nodes are called the sentinal nodes. It is important to understand that the sentinel node will probably be the first one to get cancer if the cancer has spread. For example, the sentinal nodes in breast cancer are often found in the armpit.

This biopsy is often done during cancer-removal surgery or prior to surgery. Sentinel node biopsy is part of the staging process. Staging is an attempt to determine how much the cancer has spread away from the original tumor.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare. But no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have this biopsy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications. These may include:

• Infection
• Bleeding or bruising
• Scarring
• Nerve damage and chronic pain
• Allergy to dye

If the lymph nodes are removed, there is an increased risk of the following:

• Delayed wound healing
• Additional pain
• Lymphedema—a condition in which fluids collect under the skin causing swelling

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Obesity
• Recent or long-term illness
• Smoking
• Poor nutrition
• Use of certain medicines
• Bleeding disorders

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor will do a physical exam. The cancerous tissue will be biopsied. Tests may include the following:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• A mammogram, in cases of breast cancer
• CT scan
• MRI scan

Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:

• Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs
• Blood thinners

Prior to the procedure, you should also:

• Eat a light meal the night before. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
• Arrange for a ride to and from the hospital.

Anesthesia

Depending on the location of the lymph node, you may be given one of the following:

• General anesthesia —You will be asleep.
• Local anesthesia—The area will be numb.
• Regional anesthesia—An area of your body will be numb.

Description of the Procedure

A blue dye, and often a radioactive tracer, will be injected into the area where the tumor is. It may be done several hours before surgery. The dye and tracer will travel from the tumor area to the sentinal nodes. This will help identify which nodes are the sentinel lymph nodes. A small incision will be made. The sentinel node(s) will be removed. The removed node will be checked for cancer cells. If cancer is found, the rest of the lymph nodes in that area will be removed.

If cancer is not seen in the sentinel node, it is unlikely that the cancer has spread to the other remaining lymph nodes. The other lymph nodes are not removed.

How Long Will It Take?

The biopsy takes about 30-60 minutes. Surgery to remove the entire cancer takes longer.

Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia prevents pain during surgery. Pain medicines are given during recovery.

Post-procedure Care

The result of the sentinel lymph node biopsy determines if additional lymph nodes need to be removed. It can also help determine the severity of your cancer.

Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions . Keep the surgical area clean and dry. Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.

If you develop complications from lymph node surgery, you will need to take some special precautions. Discuss these precautions with your doctor.

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
• If lymph nodes were removed: redness, warmth, swelling, stiffness, or hardness in the extremity
• Dark or swollen fingers and toes
• Nausea and/or vomiting that you cannot control with the medicines you were given after surgery, or which last for more than two days after discharge from the hospital
• Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
• Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
• New, unexplained symptoms

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.