A technique known as a sentinel node biopsy is increasingly performed by experienced surgeons in selected patients. This procedure is used to determine if cancer has spread beyond the nodes help and so possibly reduce the need for complete axillary lymphadenectomies. It involves the following:
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 so-called 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 remainder of the lymph nodes will be cancer free, and further surgery becomes unnecessary.
It is still not known if the sentinel node biopsy has any survival advantages compared to the standard procedures with lymph nodes removal.
Of note, however, a 2002 study indicated that careful and complete removal of potentially cancerous lymph nodes is still very important for improving survival in Stage II and III patients.
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