Sentinel lymph node biopsy using lymphoscintigraphy

Cancer surgery has existed as an elective treatment modality for more than 150 years, yet it is relatively unsophisticated in light of the advances seen in other medical disciplines. Using the nuclear medicine technique of lymphoscintigraphy (i.e., mapping lymph nodes using a radioactive isotope), the surgeon can perform a sentinel lymph node biopsy that targets only the lymph nodes that first drain a primary tumor site. This procedure can provide accurate staging information without risking the potential morbidity associated with lymph node dissection. This type of precise biopsy is made possible by using a gamma-detecting instrument coupled with an ultrasensitive probe designed for intraoperative use.