Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Cancer Care Northwest’s breast surgeons perform sentinel lymph node biopsy to check nearby lymph nodes for cancer.
With sentinel lymph node biopsy, the surgeon uses a radioactive substance or dye to find the first (sentinel) lymph node(s) that is/are most likely to be invaded by cancer. This lymph node first level is removed and checked for cancerous cells. The results help your doctors predict if the breast cancer has spread to other lymph nodes or organs.
Prior to sentinel lymph node biopsy, numerous lymph nodes had to be removed and checked. This can cause more scar tissue and lymphedema, a side-effect in which fluid collects in tissue and causes painful swelling.
Cancer Care Northwest’s Dr. Ryan Holbrook introduced the sentinel lymph node biopsy to Spokane first for melanoma and then breast cancer in 1996. Dr. Wright, Dr. Moline and Dr. Parviz also have extensive experience performing this procedure.