Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Karnataka

Does a positive sentinel node always mean the cancer has spread everywhere?

No, a positive sentinel node means further staging or additional lymph node removal may be needed, but it doesn't automatically mean widespread cancer — your oncologist will interpret it in the full clinical picture.

Is this a major surgery?

It's much less invasive than full lymph node dissection, usually done as a day procedure or with an overnight stay, with a much lower risk of long-term arm swelling (lymphedema).

Will I need more surgery if the node is positive?

This depends on the type and extent of cancer — some patients need additional lymph node removal, while others proceed straight to other treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.

How accurate is this test?

Sentinel node biopsy has a high accuracy rate for detecting nodal spread when performed by an experienced surgical oncology team.

What's the recovery time?

Most patients recover within 1-2 weeks, with mild soreness and swelling at the injection and incision sites.