Sentinel Node Examination

Sentinel node examination establishes the axillary status.

Lymph fluid drains from the breast tumour area to the axilla (armpit). The first lymph nodes in the lymph duct routes stop and eat cancer cells and they are called sentinel nodes. They are marked with isotope mapping by injecting technetium isotope into the breast tissues before the operation. The isotope is then detected during the operation using a gamma detector.

The sentinel nodes are removed during the operation. When needed, they are sent to a pathologist for a frozen section analysis. If the sentinel nodes are healthy, axillary lymph node dissection is not needed.

The evacuation of the armpit lymph nodes is done if the disease is widely found in the sentinel nodes. Prior to the operation, suspected lymph nodes are examined by ultrasound and fine needle biopsy. If any metastasis in the lymph nodes is found, the evacuation is performed.

Preparation of isotope Technetium for sentinel node procedure