Lymph node sampling techniques

Lymph node sampling techniques

Lymph node sampling techniques

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🎯 Core Principles - The Sentinel Hunt

The Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN) is the first lymph node to receive lymphatic drainage from a primary tumor. Its histological status predicts the status of the entire regional nodal basin, guiding decisions on further axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).

  • Lymphatic Mapping Techniques:
    • Blue Dye: Isosulfan blue (or methylene blue) is injected peritumorally. It stains lymphatic channels and the SLN blue for direct visual identification. ⚠️ Risk of anaphylaxis with isosulfan.
    • Radiotracer: Technetium-99m ($^{99m}$Tc) sulfur colloid is injected, localizing in the SLN. Detected intraoperatively with a handheld gamma probe.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy with dye injection and removal

⭐ The dual-tracer technique (blue dye + radiocolloid) is the gold standard, maximizing the SLN identification rate to >95% in melanoma and breast cancer.

🔪 Management: Biopsy vs. Dissection

Decision-making for regional lymph nodes hinges on clinical status. The goal is accurate staging with minimal morbidity.

FeatureSentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB)Axillary/Regional Lymph Node Dissection (ALND/RLND)
IndicationClinically node-negative (cN0) diseaseClinically node-positive (cN+) or SLNB-positive disease
GoalStaging (diagnostic)Therapeutic & Staging (locoregional control)
ExtentRemoval of 1-3 "sentinel" nodesRemoval of a larger group of nodes (e.g., Level I/II axillary)
MorbidityLowHigh
Complications↓ Lymphedema, ↓ nerve injury↑ Lymphedema (~20-30%), ↑ nerve injury, shoulder dysfunction

ACOSOG Z0011 Trial: In early-stage breast cancer (T1/T2, cN0) with 1-2 positive sentinel nodes undergoing lumpectomy and whole-breast radiation, ALND shows no survival benefit over SLNB alone.

⚠️ Complications - Post-Op Perils

  • Lymphedema: Chronic, non-pitting edema in the ipsilateral arm from impaired lymphatic drainage.

    ⭐ Lymphedema risk is significantly lower with Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) (5%) compared to Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND) (20-30%).

  • Nerve Injury:
    • Long Thoracic n.: Innervates serratus anterior → Injury causes "Winged Scapula".
    • Thoracodorsal n.: Innervates latissimus dorsi → Injury causes weak arm adduction & internal rotation.
    • Intercostobrachial n.: Sensory nerve → Injury causes numbness of medial arm/axilla.
  • Seroma: Fluid collection in surgical dead space; may require aspiration.
  • Shoulder Dysfunction: Pain, stiffness, ↓ range of motion.

Winged Scapula: Anatomy and Physical Exam Finding

📊 Clinical Correlations - Staging Significance

  • TNM Staging: Lymph node status is the 'N' in TNM staging ($N_x, N_0, N_1-N_3$), a powerful independent prognostic factor for most solid tumors.
  • Prognosis: Node positivity (N+) significantly worsens prognosis and increases the risk of distant recurrence.
  • Adjuvant Therapy: A positive node finding is a primary driver for recommending adjuvant systemic chemotherapy and/or regional radiation therapy (XRT).
  • Decision Impact: The number and anatomic level of positive nodes determine the specific N-stage, guiding treatment intensity.

⭐ For many cancers (e.g., breast, colon), the absolute number of positive lymph nodes is a more powerful predictor of survival than the size of the primary tumor (T-stage).

⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) is the standard for staging clinically node-negative breast cancer and melanoma.
  • It identifies the first draining lymph node(s) using a radiotracer (technetium-99m) and/or blue dye.
  • A negative SLNB avoids a more morbid Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND).
  • ALND is indicated for positive SLNB or clinically palpable, biopsy-proven nodes.
  • Major ALND risk is chronic lymphedema; also nerve injury (long thoracic, thoracodorsal).

Practice Questions: Lymph node sampling techniques

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 62-year-old woman presents to her physician with a painless breast mass on her left breast for the past 4 months. She mentions that she noticed the swelling suddenly one day and thought it would resolve by itself. Instead, it has been slowly increasing in size. On physical examination of the breasts, the physician notes a single non-tender, hard, and fixed nodule over left breast. An ultrasonogram of the breast shows a solid mass, and a fine-needle aspiration biopsy confirms the mass to be lobular carcinoma of the breast. When the patient asks about her prognosis, the physician says that the prognosis can be best determined after both grading and staging of the tumor. Based on the current diagnostic information, the physician says that they can only grade, but no stage, the neoplasm. Which of the following facts about the neoplasm is currently available to the physician?

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Flashcards: Lymph node sampling techniques

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Schwannomas are treated with _____ and/or stereotactic radiosurgery

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Schwannomas are treated with _____ and/or stereotactic radiosurgery

resection

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