Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

A sentinel lymph node biopsy is prompted by a melanoma Breslow Thickness of at least 1mm. This procedure is used to determine lymph node involvement, an important part of the melanoma staging process. Sentinel lymph node biopsies are performed by injecting lymphazurin (Isosulfan blue) dye and radioactive sulfur colloid into the primary melanoma. Using a gamma sensor probe, doctors can determine to which lymph node the sulfur colloid travelled, and pinpoint its exact location by observing which node is stained blue. This node is most likely to contain metastatic disease, and is therefore dissected and biopsied. The result of the sentinel lymph node biopsy is used for pathological staging which informs proper course of treatment.