What is the importance of sentinel lymph node biopsy in cancer surgery?
Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a minimally invasive procedure used to determine whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. By identifying and removing only the sentinel nodes—the first few lymph nodes to which a tumor drains—surgeons can accurately stage the cancer without the need for extensive lymph node dissection. This reduces the risk of complications such as lymphedema and provides crucial information for tailoring further treatment.
