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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Sentinel node biopsy is a surgical procedure used to determine if cancer has spread beyond a primary tumor into your lymphatic system. It's used most commonly in evaluating breast cancer and melanoma.
The sentinel lymph node is the first lymph node into which a tumor drains. Sentinel node biopsy involves finding the sentinel lymph node before surgery, and then removing the node during surgery. If, following a sentinel node biopsy, evaulation shows that the sentinel lymph node is free of cancer, the cancer isn't likely to have spread and removing additional lymph nodes is unnecessary.
If, after sentinel node biopsy, evaluation of the sentinel lymph node reveals cancer, then you'll likely need additional lymph nodes removed for your doctor to determine how far the cancer has spread.
- Gipponi M, et al. New fields of application of the sentinel lymph node biopsy in the pathologic staging of solid neoplasms: Review of literature and surgical perspectives. Journal of Surgical Oncology. 2004;85:171.
- Meric-Bernstam F, et al. Oncology. In: Brunicardi FC, et al. Schwartz's Principles of Surgery 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=816918. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy: Questions and answers. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/sentinel-node-biopsy. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Surgery for breast cancer. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Surgery_5.asp. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Harlow SP, et al. Sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer: Indication and outcomes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Buzaid AC, et al. American Joint Commission on Cancer staging system and prognostic factors in cutaneous melanoma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
- Harlow SP, et al. Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer: Techniques. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
