Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Biopsy, Sentinel Lymph Node

Results

A sentinel lymph node biopsy is a surgery that takes out lymph node tissue to look for infection or cancer. Test results from are usually available within a few days.

The lymph node tissue is usually treated with special dyes (stains) that color the cells so problems can be clearly seen.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy

Normal	The dye or tracer flows evenly to the sentinel lymph node.
	The lymph node has normal numbers of lymph node cells.
	The structure of the lymph node and the cells look normal.
	No cancer is present.
Abnormal	The dye or tracer does not flow evenly to the sentinel lymph node.
	The sentinel lymph node cannot be identified.
	Cancer cells may be seen. Cancer cells may start in the lymph nodes, such as in Hodgkin's lymphoma. Cancer cells may have spread, or metastasized, from other sites, such as in breast cancer or melanoma.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: April 17, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology Brent Shoji, MD - General Surgery
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