Download sentinel lymph node mapping

PATIENT GUIDE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
SENTINEL
LYMPH NODE
MAPPING
SENTINEL LYMPH NODE MAPPING
What is Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping?

A sentinel node study uses a low dose of
radioactive material to map the lymph nodes that
provide drainage under the arms.

This mapping allows the surgeons to determine
which nodes to remove and test to find whether the
cancer has spread from the primary tumor into the
lymph system (body’s primary defense against infection).
How should I prepare for this procedure?

Follow patient preparation given by Day Surgery.
(Nothing to eat or drink starting at midnight, the
night before the procedure. The morning of procedure you may have liquids, excluding milk products.)

It is important to arrange for someone to drive you
home after the surgical procedure.

Arrive 45 minutes before your appointment time to
register with Day Surgery.
What should I expect during a sentinel lymph node
mapping?

When you arrive at the hospital register in the Day
Surgery Department.
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
You will then be brought to the Diagnostic Imaging
Department for the sentinel node mapping before the
surgery.

This test varies for all patients. Some may require a
mammogram or ultrasound of the breast prior to the
mapping in order to localize the area of interest.
Others are brought directly to the Nuclear Medicine
Department if there is an obvious lump.

It may be recommended for some patients that a
Wire Localization be done before the injection of radioactive tracer (see patient guide Fine Wire
Localization for further information)

This is all predetermined by the radiologist (the
doctor who reports mammograms and breast
ultrasounds) and your surgeon.

All patients will require an injection of radioactive
tracer into the breast. This is done by the radiologist
using a small needle.

The site of injection is usually around the areolar
area (dark area around nipple).

A second injection may be required around the
abnormal area of the breast.

To help the radioactive tracer move into the lymph
nodes, you will be asked to walk around in the Diagnostic Imaging department.
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
Images will then be taken by the technologist using
the nuclear medicine camera to see the path of the
radioactive material to the lymph nodes.

The radiologist (x-ray doctor) marks the skin where
the lymph nodes are located.

You will then return to Day Surgery where you will
be prepared for breast surgery in the operating room.

The surgeon uses a small hand held scanner to detect
the radioactive material that guides him to the sentinel lymph node (s).

The radioactive tracers help the surgeons remove
only those nodes in the lymphatic system that may
contain cancer cells.

The surgeon will also inject a blue dye in the breast
which collects in the lymph system and provides further confirmation that the “sentinel node” has been
identified.

The “sentinel lymph node (s)” is then removed for
biopsy.

The sentinel node is the first node to receive drainage of lymphatic fluid and cells from a tumor or
malignant growth.

If the sentinel node contains cancer cells, than other
axillary (area of armpit), lymph nodes may have to
be removed which will increase the chances of
lymphedema (arm swelling).
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How long will it take for SLN Mapping?

This test will take from 60-150 minutes in the
diagnostic imaging department depending how long
it takes for the tracer to reach the lymph node.
Blue dye is injected near the
tumor
The first lymph nodes to take up
the material are removed and
checked for cancer cells.
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The technologists are unable to give test results. Your doctor
will receive a copy of the report within approximately 1 week.
If you have any questions, concerns or if you are unable to keep
your appointment, please do not hesitate to call the booking office at 742-2571 or toll free 1-877-742-2571.
http://www.aininfo.co.uk/sentinelnode/images/Sentinel_node_biopsy_information.gif
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and smoke free environment.
South West Health, Nova Scotia
http://www.swndha.nshealth.ca/
Diagnostic Imaging Department
Yarmouth Regional Hospital
60 Vancouver Street
Yarmouth, NS
B5A 2P5
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Revised December 2014