Sentinel Node Biopsy
Cancer cells tend to spread from a primary tumor to a primary (or sentinel) lymph node, and then move on to other nearby lymph nodes. A sentinel node biopsy is a surgical procedure designed to remove the sentinel lymph node in order to determine whether cancer cells are present (and are likely spreading to nearby nodes). To identify the sentinel lymph node(s), the surgeon injects a radioactive drug or dye near the tumor. Once the sentinel node is identified, the surgeon makes a small incision over the node and removes it. If cancer is found during microscopic evaluation, the surgeon will remove more lymph nodes during the current procedure or during a follow-up biopsy.