Breast
Sentinel lymph node biopsy
A procedure that identifies and removes the first few lymph nodes the breast drains into. If those nodes are clear of cancer, the remainder usually are too, which spares most patients a fuller clearance and its side effects.
Who it is for
- Patients having surgery for breast cancer where the lymph nodes are not already known to be involved
What to expect
A tracer is used to identify which nodes the breast drains into first.
Those nodes are removed and examined. Typically only a small number are taken.
If they are clear, no further node surgery is usually needed.
Recovery
Recovery is generally quicker than after a full axillary clearance, and the risk of lymphoedema is lower. Report any persistent swelling, heaviness or tightness in the arm.
Risks and possible complications
Every operation carries risk, and the list below is general rather than complete. Which of these matter for you depends on your health, your anatomy and what is being treated, which is what the consent conversation before surgery is for.
- A temporary blue or green discoloration of the skin and urine where blue dye is used, and rarely an allergic reaction to it
- Numbness or tingling in the upper inner arm
- A collection of fluid in the armpit
- Lymphoedema, persistent swelling of the arm, which is much less likely than after full node clearance but not impossible
- A false negative result, where the sampled node is clear but disease is present elsewhere in the armpit
No surgeon can promise a particular result, and nothing on this page should be read as one.
Still not sure whether it needs looking at?
Most breast changes turn out to be benign. Working out which ones are is what an assessment is for, and the guides here explain what that involves before you go.