Sentinel lymph node dissection procedure

What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy? A sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a procedure in which the sentinel lymph node is identified, removed, and examined to determine whether cancer cells are present. It is used in people who have already been diagnosed with cancer.

1. What is sentinel lymph node technique?
2. How is a sentinel lymphadenectomy done?
3. What is the difference between axillary lymph node dissection and sentinel lymph node dissection?
4. How do you perform a lymph node dissection?
5. How many lymph nodes are taken in a sentinel node biopsy?
6. How many sentinel nodes should be removed?
7. How long does a sentinel node injection take?
8. What is the difference between a sentinel node and a lymph node?
9. How many sentinel nodes does a person have?
10. Where is sentinel node located?
11. Which is the most commonly injured nerve during sentinel lymph node biopsy?
12. What happens if sentinel node is positive?
13. Where is the incision for lymph node removal?
14. How long does lymph node dissection surgery take?
15. Why is lymph node removal so painful?
16. What is sentinel lymph node identification?
17. What happens during sentinel lymph node mapping?
18. What is the principle of sentinel node biopsy?
19. What is used for sentinel node injection?

What is sentinel lymph node technique?

Sentinel node biopsy identifies the first few lymph nodes into which a tumor drains. The surgeon uses a harmless dye and a weak radioactive solution to locate the sentinel nodes. The nodes are removed and tested for signs of cancer. Sentinel node biopsy is a procedure to see if cancer has spread.

How is a sentinel lymphadenectomy done?

During a sentinel node biopsy, your surgeon will inject a harmless, radioactive dye into the breast — typically under the areola. Your Mercy Health surgeon will then make an incision under the arm to locate the lymph nodes that contain dye. Once the affected lymph nodes are located, your surgeon will remove them.

What is the difference between axillary lymph node dissection and sentinel lymph node dissection?

Axillary dissection removes more axillary lymph nodes than a sentinel node biopsy does. Because it disrupts more of the normal tissue in the underarm area, axillary dissection is more likely to affect arm function and cause lymphedema.

How do you perform a lymph node dissection?

The surgeon makes a cut (incision) in the skin and removes lymph nodes and any other nearby tissue that may have cancer cells. Then the surgeon places a small tube (drain) and closes the cut with stitches or staples. A drainage bag is attached to the end of the tube to collect fluid draining from the area.

How many lymph nodes are taken in a sentinel node biopsy?

Your surgeon usually carries out a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) during the operation to remove your breast cancer. You have about 1 to 3 nodes removed to see if they contain cancer cells.

How many sentinel nodes should be removed?

The mean number of SLNs removed at surgery in breast cancer patients ranges from 1.2 to 3.4 SLNs, and the total number from 1 to 15 SLNs. Because of the multiple factors involved in SLND, the number of SLNs that should be removed to accurately predict lymph node status remains controversial.

How long does a sentinel node injection take?

During your procedure, you will lie on a reclining chair for about 20 minutes. While you're in the reclining chair, a doctor or nurse will inject a small amount of a radioactive liquid under your skin near the site of your cancer. You might feel stinging or burning during the injection.

What is the difference between a sentinel node and a lymph node?

Sentinel nodes are the first lymph nodes where cancer cells might spread from a tumor. Lymph nodes are small organs that “filter” fluid in the body and help protect you from illness. The word “sentinel” means a guard or someone keeping watch.

How many sentinel nodes does a person have?

Sentinel node biopsy has become a cornerstone of breast cancer management and has been shown to accurately stage the axilla in patients with breast cancer. Although the median number of SLNs identified is 2, more than 3 SLNs are found in 17.9% of cases.

Where is sentinel node located?

The axillary lymph node located closest to the breast cancer tumor is known as the “sentinel node.” Because this lymph node handles drainage from the breast, it is usually the first area where breast cancer cells metastasize.

Which is the most commonly injured nerve during sentinel lymph node biopsy?

The intercostobrachial nerve was damaged in 44.4% of axillary lymph node dissections and transaxillary breast augmentation surgeries (Table 2).

What happens if sentinel node is positive?

A positive result means there are cancer cells in the sentinel nodes. This means the cancer has started to spread. Your doctor will talk to you about further treatment. You'll also have scans to see if the cancer has spread anywhere else.

Where is the incision for lymph node removal?

The surgeon will make an incision (cut) under the arm and remove most of the lymph nodes from that area. A surgical drain is placed under the arm on the side of surgery to remove fluid and to give your body time to heal.

How long does lymph node dissection surgery take?

The procedure will take approximately one to two hours of surgery time. The surgery is usually performed with monitored or general anesthesia, which means you will be sedated or put to sleep. You will have an incision under your arm.

Why is lymph node removal so painful?

The pain is usually caused by bruising, stretching or damage to nerves during surgery or when scar tissue forms. It seems to affect more people who have had surgery to the upper outer part of the breast and the armpit. These areas are particularly vulnerable to nerve injury.

What is sentinel lymph node identification?

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.

What happens during sentinel lymph node mapping?

The use of dyes and radioactive substances to identify the first lymph node to which cancer is likely to spread from the primary tumor. Cancer cells may appear first in the sentinel node before spreading to other lymph nodes and other places in the body.

What is the principle of sentinel node biopsy?

The concept of sentinel node biopsy is based on two basic principles: the existence of an orderly and predictable pattern of lymphatic drainage to a regional lymph node basin, and the functioning of a first lymph node as an effective filter for tumour cells.

What is used for sentinel node injection?

Sentinel lymph nodes are mapped using ^99mTechnetium, injected on day of surgery (1-day protocol) or day before (2-day protocol).