A technique used to assess for small amount of cancer in the lymph nodes without having to remove all the lymph nodes (axillary dissection)
The sentinel lymph node(s) is the first draining node within a basin of lymph nodes.
It is located by injecting two dyes around the periareolar margin or around the the tumour site, just prior to surgery.
Standard dyes are radioactive and patent blue dye, and the sentinel node is detected using a gamma probe and visually. There are now emerging techniques using a magnetic tracer to find iron particles, as visually looking for carbon particles.
Accuracy 97%. False negative rate 7%-12%. These figures can be obtained only by a surgeon well trained in this area.
Significant decrease of complications commonly associated with axillary dissection : Seroma, lymphoedema (arm swelling), shoulder stiffness, parasthesia ( tingling and numbness of upper inner arm).
Under general anaesthesia, with the actual breast surgery or prior.
Minimally invasive with either a small incision (1.5-2.5cm) under the armpit, or accessible through breast incision for removal of the breast cancer.
Precise location can be achieved with little trauma to the surrounding tissue using the localisation techniques of a gamma probe and visualising the blue dye.
No drains required.
If performed solitarily, requires only a day stay. If performed in conjunction with breast surgery, follow post operative advice of the breast surgery.
Bleeding
Wound Infection
Seroma (fluid collection )
Keep wound dry
No driving /heavy lifting for 2 weeks
The next step is to book a consultation with our qualified team.
You can book your treatment online or call our friendly team on 03 9041 8445.
Professional Associations and Memberships
To assist patients, Dr Yap consults and operates at a number of locations across Melbourne.
There is a centralised booking process from the main rooms.
Main Rooms:
St Vincent’s Private
Suite 8, Level 4,
55 Victoria Parade,
Fitzroy 3065
Other Locations:
The Valley Pvte, Cnr Police & Gladstone Road., Mulgrave 3170
Melbourne Eastern Pvte, 157 Scoresby Rd, Boronia, 3155
Ringwood Pte, 36 Mt Dandenong Rd., Ringwood East 3135
Latrobe Pvte, Cnr Plenty Rd. & Kingsbury Dv.,Bundoora 3083
Reservoir Private, 73 Pine St., Reservoir 3073
Phone Number
03 9041 8445
Mobile Number
0413 162 462
Fax Number
03 9041 8445
Email
dr.nicole yap@gmail.com
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