A new experimental procedure, offered at the Josephine Ford Cancer Center, improves the surgical outcomes for breast cancer patients. As one of a few centers nationwide offering Sentinel "First" Node Biopsy, the purpose of this experimental procedure is to determine if removing one lymph node under your arm allows for diagnosing the spread of breast cancer. If it can be shown that the first lymph node can give the needed information, then eventually the removal of all lymph nodes will be avoided. As with all surgical procedures, there is a small risk of complications which will be discussed with you before the procedure.

What is a Lymph Node?

A lymph node is part of your immune system. Lymph nodes, often the size of peas or beans and located throughout the body, contain clusters of infection fighting cells. About 20 - 50 lymph nodes are located under each arm which filter out and destroy bacteria and other foreign substances. Lymph nodes are one of our first lines of defense against the spread of infection. Cancer also spreads to lymph nodes and when it does, it tells the doctor that it is a more dangerous tumor.

What is a Sentinel Lymph Node?

A Sentinel Lymph node is the "first" lymph node in the area under your arm to receive cancerous material from the breast tumor. This experimental procedure called "Sentinel Lymphadenectomy," means doctors remove your sentinel or "first" lymph node. This procedure allows your medical team to determine if the breast tumor cells have spread to the lymph nodes in your underarm.

How do Doctors Find the Sentinel Lymph Node?

Prior to surgery, a small amount of radioactive material is injected into the breast. This material moves through the breast's lymph node system and a special scan is done. The amount of radiation you receive is much less than a regular x-ray. During your surgery, a harmless blue dye is put into the area where your breast cancer was found. This helps your doctor find your sentinel or first lymph node.

What Should You Expect? -- Removal of the Sentinel Node:

The removal of your first, or sentinel node, is done at the same time as your regular scheduled breast surgery. After your first lymph node is removed, the rest of your lymph nodes are removed. Removal of all nodes is currently part of the standard treatment for breast cancer. Your first lymph node is separated out from the other lymph nodes so the pathologist can study it to determine if the cancer has spread. Your surgery is done on an outpatient basis and you will only have to spend the night in the hospital if you and your doctor decides that is best for you. The Sentinel Node Procedure may extend your surgery an additional 15 minutes. The total time for surgery is usually an hour and a half to two hours.

How will this Procedure Benefit Women?

This is an experimental procedure that may change the need to remove all of your lymph nodes. The Josephine Ford Cancer Center doctors and research team are working to improve the way breast cancer is treated. If you choose to be a part of this research study, you will be helping future women with breast cancer. We hope to one day remove only one lymph node instead of all of them.

What are my rights if I choose to be in this research study?

The removal of the Sentinel Node Procedure is done only on a voluntary basis and there is no additional cost to you. You can decide at any time not to be part of this research study. If you do decide to be a part of this research study, you will be asked to fill out and sign a patient consent form. By signing the consent form today, it only means that today you decided it was a good decision for you. Please remember, that at any time you can decide you do not want to be a volunteer in this research study. You will receive high quality care regardless of your participation. The nurse and doctor will answer any questions you may have and will explain the risks that go along with this procedure.