![sentinel node sentinel node](https://d3i71xaburhd42.cloudfront.net/eebe1aac96a8e0ce1059bf6bf710d3e65ed229fd/2-Figure1-1.png)
The examination of the sentinel node during surgery remains arbitrary as micro-metastases cannot be detected. Before performing axillary clearing, evidence of metastatic invasion of at least three lymph nodes is recommended. Examination of the sentinel lymph node has become the gold standard. The study of lymph nodes has a prognostic value and guides decision making for further treatment ( 3– 6). One such example of this is the disappearance of great axillary curage.
![sentinel node sentinel node](https://www.dukehealth.org/sites/default/files/blog_post/sentinel-node-endometrial-cancer.jpg)
In recent years the management of breast cancer has changed considerably. Approximately 40% of breast cancers metastasize to axillary lymph nodes and metastatic extension depends on disease stage. The sentinel lymph node advantageously replaces axillary dissection as a staging method in breast cancer T1 and T2 ( 2). If no tumor cells are identified in the sentinel lymph node ganglion by histological examination, the other lymph nodes are also negative for the presence of tumor cells in 99% of cases. The presence of tumor cells can be identified in the lymph node when metastasis has occurred from the primary cancer site into the lymph node ( 1) If the sentinel lymph node ganglion is negative for the presence of tumor cells at the time of histological examination, the other lymph nodes are also negative in 99% of cases. 2Argotlab and Synlab Laboratories, Department of Pathology, Lausanne, Switzerland.1Department of Gynecology Obstetrics, Cantonal Hospital, HFR, Fribourg, Switzerland.It spares the patient an unnecessary total axillary lymph nodes dissection with its consequences of morbid arm swelling & pain.įor more information on Sentinel Node Biopsy, visit the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging website.Jean Bouquet de Jolinière 1 *, A.easier for the patient in terms of recuperation with less surgical dissection.may be performed on an outpatient basis.more accurate than the traditional axillary dissection in assessing whether breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.highly reliable in detecting cancerous cells.What are the advantages of Sentinel Node Biopsy? The lymph nodes that have absorbed the radioactive tracer are considered as sentinel lymph nodes and are removed to be examined under the microscope for the presence of cancer cells. The surgeon makes an incision underneath the arm and passes a hand-held probe over the area to measure levels of radioactivity.
![sentinel node sentinel node](https://medicine.uiowa.edu/iowaprotocols/sites/medicine.uiowa.edu.iowaprotocols/files/061%20fu%203%20months.jpg)
Images are taken to visualize the sentinel lymph nodes, which may harbor cancer cells. Prior to surgery to remove part of or the entire breast, a radiotracer that contains radioactive material is injected near the tumor and/or around the nipple.
![sentinel node sentinel node](https://medicine.uiowa.edu/iowaprotocols/sites/medicine.uiowa.edu.iowaprotocols/files/063%20fu%203%20months.jpg)
In a sentinel node biopsy, only the sentinel nodes are surgically removed, which reduces the number of lymph nodes resected and thus reduces complications and side effects, including morbid swelling of the arm and pain as a consequence of axillary lymph nodes dissection. Sentinel nodes that are closest to the tumor are most likely to contain cancer cells if the tumor has started to spread. Molecular imaging is used to identify the first few or sentinel nodes into which a tumor drains. Sentinel node(s) dissection is a relatively new alternative to the axillary lymph node(s) dissection which was previously performed during surgery.How is Sentinel Node Dissection performed? To determine if cancer has spread to a patient’s lymph nodes, an axillary lymph node dissection may be performed in addition to removing part or all of the breast. The lymph nodes in this armpit region drain lymph from the breast and nearby areas. According to the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, when breast cancer spreads, cancer cells are often found in the lymph nodes that are located under the arm, called axillary sentinel lymph nodes.