lymfenabeling

Lymfenabeling, often referred to as lymphatic mapping, is a medical procedure used to identify the sentinel lymph node(s). The sentinel lymph node is the first lymph node that drains lymph fluid from a tumor site. By identifying and examining this node, doctors can determine if cancer has spread from the primary tumor. This information is crucial for staging cancer and planning appropriate treatment.

The procedure typically involves injecting a small amount of radioactive tracer or a blue dye, or both, near the tumor. This substance travels through the lymphatic system, following the path of the lymph fluid. A special device, such as a gamma probe, is then used to detect the radioactive tracer, or a surgeon can visually identify the blue-stained lymph node. Once the sentinel lymph node(s) are located, they are surgically removed for examination by a pathologist.

If cancer cells are found in the sentinel lymph node, it suggests that the cancer may have spread. Further treatment decisions, such as the extent of lymph node dissection or the need for additional therapies like chemotherapy or radiation, are then made based on these findings. If the sentinel lymph node is cancer-free, it significantly increases the likelihood that the cancer has not spread to other lymph nodes, potentially allowing for less extensive surgery and fewer side effects. Lymfenabeling is commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer, melanoma, and certain types of gynecologic cancers.