Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Biopsy, Sentinel Lymph Node

Why It Is Done

A sentinel lymph node biopsy is done to:

• See if a known cancer, such as breast cancer or melanoma, has spread to the lymph nodes.
• Remove a few lymph nodes instead of removing all the lymph nodes in an area. If the sentinel lymph node does not have cancer, this surgery takes less time, is simpler to do, and has a lower chance of long-term problems, such as ongoing arm swelling (lymphedema).

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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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