In this procedure, a dye is injected into the cancer, and a scan is completed to trace the dye through the lymphatic system into the node/s it first travels to.

The location of the lymph node depends on the area of the cancer. For instance, breast cancer usually requires axilla (armpit) node biopsy, facial lesions usually require neck node biopsy, and lower limb lesions usually require groin node biopsy. The procedure to have this injection is called a lymphoscintigram, and it is completed in the radiology department the morning of or the day before your surgery.

This process assists Dr Taylor in identifying the ‘main draining’ node for sampling.

What Can I Expect with a Sentinel Node Biopsy?

A Quick Overview

Surgery time: 1.5 hours

Length of stay in hospital: 0-1 night stay

Recovery time: The following are approximate times.

Driving 2 days, office work 2-4 days and strenuous work/ exercise 4-6 weeks if the movement will affect this area of the body during healing.

Incision and scar: 4 - 6 cm incision

An axillary node dissection is usually completed if imaging/ an ultrasound guided FNA of a lymph node or a sentinel node biopsy sent to pathology has shown malignancy in this area.

This procedure involves an incision under the armpit to remove all the nodes carefully. There are many structures in this area, such as vessels and nerves, that Dr Taylor will carefully dissect around. It is also essential to ensure the surgeon completes a full dissection and takes all the nodes.

What Can I Expect with a Axillary Node Dissection?

A Quick Overview

Surgery time: 2 - 3 hours.

Length of stay in hospital: 1 - 2 night stay.

Recovery time: The following are approximate times.

Driving 1 week, office work 1 - 2 weeks and strenuous work/ exercise 6 weeks if the movement will affect this area of the body during healing.

Incision and scar: The size of the incision will depend on the size of the patient, though it will span most of the area to allow for access to all of the nodes.

Drain: A drain is used to help suction in the cavity that has been created and prevent fluid / seroma forming.

A groin node dissection is usually completed if imaging/ an ultrasound guided FNA of a lymph node or a sentinel node biopsy sent to pathology has shown malignancy in this area.

This procedure involves making an incision in the groin area to remove all the nodes carefully. There are many structures in this area, such as vessels and nerves, that Dr Taylor will carefully dissect around. It is also essential to ensure the surgeon completes a full dissection and takes all the nodes.

What Can I Expect with a Groin Node Dissection?

A Quick Overview

Surgery time: 2 - 3 hours.

Length of stay in hospital: 1 - 2 night stay.

Recovery time: The following are approximate times.

Driving 1 week, office work 1 - 2 weeks and strenuous work/ exercise 6 weeks if the movement will affect this area of the body during healing.

Incision and scar: The size of the incision will depend on the size of the patient, though it will span most of the area to allow for access to all of the nodes.

Drain: A drain is used to help suction in the cavity that has been created and prevent fluid / seroma forming.

A neck dissection is completed for high-risk head and neck cancers. In most cases, it involves just one side of the neck. However, if required, Dr Taylor will operate on both sides of the neck during the same surgery.

Depending on the level of dissection required, Dr Taylor will carefully remove some or all the nodes. Many structures in this area, including important nerves and some large vessels, must be carefully dissected around. Nerve monitoring is often used during the procedure to prevent any inadvertent damage to these structures.

What Can I Expect with a Neck Dissection?

A Quick Overview

Surgery time: 2 - 4 hours.

Length of stay in hospital: 1 - 2 night stay.

Recovery time: The following are approximate times.

Driving 1 week, office work 1 - 2 weeks and strenuous work/ exercise 6 weeks if the movement will affect this area of the body during healing.

Incision and scar: An incision is made from the ear down the neck to expose the entire area.

Drain: 1 - 2 drains are used to help suction in the cavity that has been created and prevent fluid / seroma forming.

Other Things to Consider

In some patients other structures in this area may also need to be removed if they are involved. These can include:

• Muscle - This can leave an indented area of the neck.

• Nerve - This can affect the patient's ability to lift their arm above 90 degrees.

• Veins - This will not cause any problems, the other veins nearby will take over the job.

• Salivary gland - This can affect salivary function.