HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Results
A Reference sentinel lymph node biopsy Opens New Window is a surgery that takes out Reference lymph node tissue Opens New Window to look for infection or cancer. Test results from are usually available within a few days.
The lymph node tissue is usually treated with special dyes (stains) that color the cells so problems can be clearly seen.
| Normal |
The dye or tracer flows evenly to the sentinel lymph node. |
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The lymph node has normal numbers of lymph node cells. |
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The structure of the lymph node and the cells look normal. |
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No cancer is present. |
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| Abnormal |
The dye or tracer does not flow evenly to the sentinel lymph node. |
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The sentinel lymph node cannot be identified. |
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Cancer cells may be seen. Cancer cells may start in the lymph nodes, such as in Reference Hodgkin's lymphoma Opens New Window. Cancer cells may have spread, or metastasized, from other sites, such as in breast cancer or Reference melanoma Opens New Window. |
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference February 27, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery |
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