Frequently Asked Questions: Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
When is sentinel lymph node biopsy used?
What are lymph nodes?
What is a sentinel lymph node?
What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
What are the benefits of a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
How should I prepare for a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
How many lymph nodes will be removed?
How accurate is sentinel lymph node biopsy?
What is a false negative result?
What is a false positive result?
When is sentinel lymph node biopsy?
Sentinel lymph node biopsy is used after a lesion is diagnosed as cancerous. It is used to determine if cancer has spread to other areas of the body (metastasized).
What are lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system. This system filters and transports fluid throughout the body and plays an important role in the immune response. Lymph nodes are small sac-like structures located throughout the body. They store lymphocytes and help control the immune response by allowing lymphocytes to contact foreign materials.
What is a sentinel lymph node?
The sentinel lymph node is the first node to receive drainage from the tumor area. If cancer cells have left the tumor they will most likely collect in the sentinel lymph node. If there are no cancer cells present in the sentinel lymph node it is much less likely that cancer cells have invaded the lymphatic system and moved to other parts of the body.
What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
Sentinel node biopsy is surgical removal of the sentinel lymph node. A surgeon will first identify the sentinel lymph node using the blue dye method, the radioactive colloid method, or both. After the surgeon identifies the node it will be removed and surrounding nodes may also be removed.
What are the benefits of a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
Determining if cancer has spread to other parts of the body is very important for treatment plans. Sentinel lymph node biopsy can do this without removing all regional lymph nodes. This is in contrast to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in which all of the lymph nodes in the region are removed. Because removal of lymph nodes may impact the movement of fluids around the body and the immune response, the sentinel lymph node method decreases the risk for side effects, such as lymphedema.
How should I prepare for a SLN biopsy?
Preparation will vary depending on surgeon preference. The procedure may be done on an outpatient basis or may require a short hospital stay. Inform your physician about any medications you are taking, especially blood thinning medications (these may need to be stopped ~5 days prior to surgery). Be sure to ask your physician about any specific preparation they would like you to complete.
How many lymph nodes will be removed?
There is no set or recommended number of lymph nodes that should be removed. It depends on surgeon preference and each individual patient's circumstances. Studies have shown the false negative rate drops when more than one node is removed.
How accurate is SLN biopsy?
Studies have shown SLN biopsy can identify the sentinel node 90% of the time, with a 7.5% false negative rate. SLN has shown an accuracy of 97%.
What's a false negative result?
A false negative is when a medical test is determined to be 'negative' (i.e. no cancer) but the person being tested does have cancer. Watch a video about false negatives.
What is a false positive result?
A false positive is when a medical test mistakenly detects cancer when the person being tested does NOT have cancer. Watch a video about false positives.
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