MEDICAL PROCEDURES
Sentinel-Lymph-Node Biopsy
What is a sentinel lymph node?
The sentinel lymph node is the first lymph node ("gland") to receive lymphatic drainage from a tumor. It stands sentinel over the tumor, so to speak.
What is the lymphatic drainage?
Lymphatic drainage is a system of vessels that, like the system of veins, drains fluid from the body and returns to a central location. The lymph fluid looks milky.
Why do a biopsy of the sentinel node?
Examination of the sentinel node ("gland") is performed to learn whether that node does or does not have tumor cells within it.
How does a tumor spread?
Tumors have only three ways of spreading: - By local invasion of adjacent tissue;
- Through the blood stream; and
- Through the lymphatic system.
Some tumors spread preferentially by the lymphatic system, meaning that they tend to spread by this method.
How is it determined which is the sentinel node?
Which lymph node is the sentinel node for a given tumor is determined by injecting around the tumor a tracer substance that will travel through the lymphatic system to the first draining (sentinel) node and identify it. The tracer substance may be blue dye that can be visually tracked or a radioactive colloid that can be radiologically followed.
What does the sentinel-lymph-node biopsy show?
Biopsy of the sentinel lymph node reveals whether there are or are not lymphatic metastases, which are tumor cells that have journeyed from the original primary tumor into the lymphatic drainage system.
If the sentinel node contains tumor cells, removal of more nodes in the area may be warranted. If the sentinel node is normal, it is unnecessary to perform an extensive dissection of the regional lymph-node basin.
Is the use of the sentinel-lymph-node biopsy common?
Yes. Sentinel-lymph-node biopsy has, for example, become a standard technique for determining the nodal stage of the disease in some patients with malignant melanoma .
|
DISCLAIMER:
Information on this site is provided for informational
purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice
provided by your own physician or other medical professional.
You should not use the information contained herein
for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease,
or prescribing any medication. You should read carefully
all product packaging. Not all Canadian drugs, Canada
prescription and Canadian prescription medicine is available
at discount Canadian on line pharmacies. If you have
or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly
contact your health care provider. Information and statements
regarding diet supplements have not been evaluated by
Health Canada and are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease. All trade and service
marks mentioned on this site are recognized as belonging
to their respective owners.
|
|
|
|
