What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy?

The patient is prepped for the mastectomy

A mastectomy is done if you have breast cancer or you have a high risk of developing it. 

This process is carried out after a sentinel lymph node biopsy has been performed.


What is a lymph node?

According to https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/staging/sentinel-node-biopsy-fact-sheet lymph nodes are "small round organs that are part of the body's lymphatic system". They are, according to this article, said to be found throughout the body and connected to each other via lymph vesselsGroups of nodes are found under the chest and a clear liquid known as lymph flows through the lymph nodes and vessels. 

So, what is a sentinel lymph node

Again, according to the article cited above, a sentinel lymph is defined as "the first lymph node to which cancer cells are most likely to spread from a primary tumour". Sometimes, there can be more than one sentinel lymph node. 

Then, what is a sentinel lymph node biopsy

It is (which can also be abbreviated as SLNB) a procedure where the sentinel lymph node is "identified, removed, and examined to determine whether cancer cells are present.

A negative SLNB result suggests that cancer has not developed the ability to spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs. 

A positive SLNB result indicates that cancer is present in the sentinel lymph node and may be present in other nearby lymph nodes (known as regional lymph nodes) and, possibly, other organs. This information can help a doctor determine the stage of cancer (extent of the disease within the body) and develop an appropriate treatment plan."






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