Sentinel node biopsy

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Sentinel node biopsy

Illustration of sentinel node biopsy

To determine whether cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes, doctors may use a procedure called sentinel node biopsy. Doctors determine which lymph nodes are likely to be the first stop for spreading cancer cells by injecting a harmless dye or a weak radioactive solution near the tumor. The sentinel nodes — the first few lymph nodes into which the tumor drains — are removed and tested for cancer cells.
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