Sentinel lymph node dye

1. What dye is used in a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
2. Where is the dye injection for sentinel node biopsy?
3. What is a sentinel injection for lymph nodes?
4. Why is tissue dye used during sentinel node biopsy?

What dye is used in a sentinel lymph node biopsy?

Isosulfan blue is a widely used dye in selective sentinel lymph node biopsy. It is a patent blue isomer and, as such, has 2 sulfonic groups in its chemical structure, which, although to a small extent, allow protein binding in lymph and plasma.

Where is the dye injection for sentinel node biopsy?

A sentinel node biopsy is a type of procedure. It checks to see if breast cancer has spread to certain lymph nodes in your armpit. These are called sentinel lymph nodes. First the doctor injects a blue dye or a radioactive material into your breast.

What is a sentinel injection for lymph nodes?

First, the sentinel lymph node (or nodes) must be located. To do so, a surgeon injects a radioactive substance, a blue dye, or both near the tumor. The surgeon then uses a device to detect lymph nodes that contain the radioactive substance or looks for lymph nodes that are stained with the blue dye.

Why is tissue dye used during sentinel node biopsy?

To find the node, a special blue dye or radioactive substance is injected. These will identify the first lymph node. This will make it easier for the doctor to find the node. This is called lymphoscintigraphy, or sentinel lymph node mapping.