Surgeons detect the sentinel lymph node by either spotting the blue dye or by measuring a node's radioactivity with a Geiger counter. If the removed sentinel node is cancer-free, additional lymph node surgery may be avoided. Currently, researchers are investigating whether sentinel lymph node biopsy should be performed routinely in the place of axillary node dissection. Click here to learn more about sentinel node biopsy. If an abnormality is seen on the mammogram then additional breast imaging is usually ordered.
Breast cancer is confirmed by biopsy .
Though both mastectomy and lumpectomy have equal survival rates, there are advantages and disadvantages to both procedures. Lumpectomy may preserve the physical appearance of the breast but usually requires six to seven weeks of radiation therapy. Mastectomy may reduce local recurrence of breast cancer, but additional decisions about breast reconstruction are introduced. Patients are encouraged to educate themselves on all possible options and to thoroughly discuss treatment and reconstruction with their physicians before deciding on a course of treatment. It is important for women to realize that breast reconstruction is possible for the majority of breast cancer patients after mastectomy.