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Procedures
Sentinel node biopsy

Sentinel node biopsy

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This is a surgical procedure used to evaluate the lymph nodes under the arm. A radioactive tracer and/or blue dye is injected into the breast prior to surgery. These substances travel to the lymph nodes so the surgeon can see them. He/she takes out one to four (on average) lymph nodes to see if cancer has spread. The benefit is a decrease in risk of lymphedema of the arm.

Dr. Regina Hampton reviewed this

25 year experience in Breast Surgery

Related questions

A 40-year old asked:

What is a sentinel node biopsy procedure?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 39-year old asked:

What is the difference between a regular node biopsy and a sentinel node biopsy?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 36-year old asked:

What is the difference between a needle directed biopsy and a sentinel node biopsy?

3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 38-year old asked:

Should axillary sentinel node biopsy be done after chemotherapy?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 31-year old asked:

Will the radioactive dye for sentinel node biopsy make me sick?

3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

A 72-year old female asked:

I had breast cancer in 2015. It had not spread beyond the breast as shown by the sentinel node biopsy. I had a routine low dose ct scan, to check for lung cancer. Lungs are clear. Some mildly prominent mediastinal and axillary nodes. Should I worry?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Should I have a sentinel lymph node biopsy to find out if there is spread to the lymph nodes?

4 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

A 39-year old asked:

Are antibiotics required after a sentinel lymph node biopsy?

3 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

A 22-year old asked:

My friend has breast cancer. She says she needs a sentinel lymph node biopsy. What is that?

4 doctor answers • 14 doctors weighed in

A 69-year old female asked:

O had surgery for positive breast cancer. Is sentinel lymph node biopsy accurate for breast cancer surgery. Node was negative.

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 48-year old asked:

Does sentinel lymph biopsy for melanoma work well?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 20-year old asked:

What is sentinal node biopsy?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 44-year old female asked:

I have breast cancer, can I do a sentinal lymph node biopsy before i decide on which procedure to do (lumpectomy or mastectomy)?

4 doctor answers • 14 doctors weighed in

A 41-year old asked:

How much time is lymph node removal for biopsy?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 23-year old female asked:

How long should you wait before considering having a lymph node biopsied?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 40-year old male asked:

What are my options if a biopsy of my retroperotineal lymph nodes is not possible?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 38-year old male asked:

Hello. I am going to see a polomogist next week. I have swllen nodes in my chest. Should i ask him to preform a biopsy?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 42-year old asked:

Why might it be that i need a biopsy of neck lymph nodes?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 53-year old female asked:

If my thyroglobulin test cows back undetected is it a good chance y lymph node biopsy wi be benign?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 36-year old asked:

Why is my doctor doing a biopsy of my lymph node?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 32-year old asked:

What can a lymph node biopsy tell?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 43-year old asked:

What happens in a lymph node open biopsy?

1 doctor answer • 7 doctors weighed in

A 34-year old asked:

What is a lymph node biopsy and what is it for?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 28-year old male asked:

What is the definition or description of: lymph node biopsy?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A 39-year old asked:

Does a lymph node biopsy require the lymph node to be removed entirely?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 44-year old asked:

For a neck biopsy (to rule out lymphoma) how many nodes do they take out?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 47-year old asked:

If my lymph node biopsy came back inconclusive.Can I find out in other ways?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 23-year old female asked:

Are there many dangers of having a lymph node from my neck removed for biopsy?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 41-year old asked:

I have to get a lymph node biopsy. Will I be able to go to work the very next day?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 32-year old asked:

Lymph node biopsy? What should one expect when results of a lymph node biopsy are "abnormal"?

2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

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