Instead of all of the lymph nodes being removed, sentinel node biopsy involves removing an average of two to three lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes are pea-sized structures that filter tissue fluids called lymph or lymphatic fluids that circulate through the body.Sentinel node biopsy may also be called sentinel lymph node biopsy or sentinel lymph node dissection.
Sentinel node biopsy is most commonly associated with staging breast cancer however, the procedure is also commonly used to stage malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer).