TESTS AND PROCEDURES

What is a Sentinel Lymph Node Breast Biopsy?

February 13, 2018

What is a Sentinel Lymph Node Breast Biopsy?

Three-quarter view of female underarm area showing tumor and sentinel lymph node.

The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It is one of the pathways cancer cells can use to travel to other parts of the body. It’s made up of lymph nodes and vessels that carry lymph fluid throughout the body. The lymph nodes are small round organs that filter the lymph fluid. The sentinel node is the first lymph node that a tumor drains into. So it’s the first place that cancer is likely to spread.

In breast cancer, the sentinel node is often one of the lymph nodes in the armpit (the axillary lymph nodes). A sentinel lymph node biopsy can be done at the same time as a lumpectomy or a mastectomy when there's no sign that cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. During the biopsy, 1 or more lymph nodes are removed. These are sent to the lab to be studied. Sometimes the lymph nodes are checked for cancer cells during the surgery.

If there are cancer cells in the sentinel node, this means the cancer has likely spread outside the breast, and more lymph nodes will need to be taken out. But if no cancer cells are found in the sentinel node, this means the cancer has probably not spread and the other lymph nodes can stay.

A sentinel node biopsy gives the doctors valuable information about the cancer. There's also less risk and fewer side effects than when all the lymph nodes in the underarm are removed. (This is called a full axillary lymph node dissection.)

How is the sentinel node found?

There are 2 methods for finding the sentinel node. Your surgeon may use 1 or both of these methods:

  • A blue dye may be injected near the changed breast tissue or into the tumor. Then its path into the lymph nodes is tracked. The dye collects in the sentinel node.

  • A small amount of a safe radioactive solution may be injected near or into the tumor. A gamma detector is then used to find the “hotspot.” This is the node where the solution has collected.

Understanding the risks

Lymph node surgery involves certain risks. Your surgeon can discuss them with you. These include:

  • Infection

  • Bleeding

  • Fluid collection (seroma)

  • Pain or numbness (from damage to nearby nerves)

  • Limited arm movement

  • Long-term swelling of the arm (lymphedema)

Talk with your healthcare provider about what you can do to help prevent these problems.

Sentinel lymph node breast biopsy is a complex surgical procedure. Make sure your surgeon has experience doing this type of surgery.

Updated:  

February 13, 2018

Sources:  

Images of SLNB, Up To Date

Reviewed By:  

Gersten, Todd, MD,Stump-Sutliff, Kim, RN, MSN, AOCNS