![]() The operation and treatment information on this page is published under license by Healthdirect Australia from EIDO Healthcare Australia and is protected by copyright laws. A biopsy to remove the sentinel nodes gives your breast cancer team important information to help plan your future breast cancer treatment. Sentinel nodes are the first lymph nodes in the armpit to which breast cancer cells can spread. They will also check your wound and be able to tell you when you can return to work. Your surgeon will tell you the results and discuss with you any treatment or follow-up you need. The lymph nodes and any breast tissue that your surgeon removed will have been examined under a microscope. Your breast cancer team will arrange an appointment for you after surgery. Before you start exercising, ask your breast cancer team or your GP for advice. Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. You should be able to return to normal activities after 2 to 3 weeks. You should be able to go home the same day or the day after. discolouration of the urine, stools and tears for 1 to 2 days.numbness or continued pain around your armpit or the inner part of your arm.developing a lump under your wound caused by blood collecting.developing a lump under your wound caused by fluid collecting.allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication.Some complications can be serious and can even cause death. Your breast cancer team may recommend further treatment to the armpit, depending on how many of the sentinel nodes contain cancer. If cancer cells are found in the sentinel nodes it means the cancer may have spread to other lymph nodes in your armpit. Your surgeon will know the results 2 to 4 weeks later. The lymph nodes that your surgeon removes will be examined under a microscope. Your surgeon will remove the nodes identified using the blue dye or tracer. The dye travels to the sentinel node and stains it blue.Ī cut is made in your armpit, below the area where hair grows. The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.ĭuring the operation your surgeon may inject a blue dye into your breast. The injection contains a fluid (tracer) which travels to the sentinel nodes and becomes trapped there. You may be asked to come to hospital before your operation for an injection into your breast. Your breast cancer team may offer surgery to remove a sample of the lymph nodes from your armpit (axillary node sampling). Your breast cancer team may offer surgery to remove all the lymph nodes under the arm (axillary node clearance) if they have cancer in them. Are there alternatives to a sentinel lymph node biopsy? Sentinel lymph nodes in the armpit (stained blue from dye injection for surgery). Lymph nodes and lymphatics (tubes for lymph) to breast and arm (green).Ģ. The dotted lines show examples of where your surgeon may make cuts.ġ.
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