# What is Sentinel node biopsy?

Source: https://oncologyistanbul.com/glossary/sentinel-node-biopsy

> A procedure that checks the first lymph node(s) a tumor would drain into, to see if cancer has started to spread.

During surgery, the sentinel (first-draining) lymph node is identified, removed, and examined. If it is free of cancer, the remaining nodes are very likely clear too, which can avoid a more extensive lymph-node removal and its side effects. It is a standard part of the breast cancer surgery described on this site's price index.

## Related
- [Breast cancer treatment](https://oncologyistanbul.com/cancers/breast)
- [Breast cancer surgery price](https://oncologyistanbul.com/prices#breast-cancer-surgery)

## Authoritative references
- [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentinel_lymph_node)
- [Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q776290)

Full glossary: https://oncologyistanbul.com/glossary