Side effects of the procedure include increased risk for infection and pain, swelling in the arm from fluid build-up, and impaired sensation and restricted movement in the affected arm. Patients might ask their doctor about the availability of physical therapy or upper-body exercises after treatment. In two studies, such programs resulted in quicker recovery and no fluid build-up in the arm.
Sentinel Node Biopsy
A technique known as a sentinel node biopsy is a less invasive alternative to axillary lymph node dissection. This procedure can help determine if cancer has spread beyond the nodes. If the doctor finds no evidence of cancer, the patient may not need to have a complete axillary lymphadenectomy.
 | Click the icon to see an image of a sentinel node biopsy. |
Sentinal node biopsy involves:
- The procedure uses an injection of a tiny amount of a tracer, either a radioactively-labeled substance (radioisotope) or a blue dye, into the tumor site.
- The tracer or dye then flows via the lymphatic system into the sentinel node. This is the first lymph node to which any cancer would spread.
- The sentinel lymph node and possibly one or two others are then removed.
- If they do not show any signs of cancer, it is highly likely that the remaining lymph nodes will be cancer free, making further surgery unnecessary.
Patients who have a sentinel node biopsy tend to have better arm function and a shorter hospital stay than those who have an axillary node biopsy. The American Society of Clinical Oncology’s 2005 guidelines recommend sentinel node biopsy instead of axillary lymph node dissection for women with early stage breast cancer who do not have nodes that can be felt during a physical exam. It is still not known if the sentinel node biopsy has any survival advantages compared to standard lymph node removal procedures.
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