Lymphoscintigraphy Treatment in Turkey
About Lymphoscintigraphy
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive diagnostic imaging procedure.Precisely maps the lymphatic drainage pathway from a specific area.Identifies the 'sentinel lymph node', the first node potentially affected by cancer spread.Guides surgeons during sentinel lymph node biopsy, potentially avoiding more extensive lymph node removal.Provides real-time, functional imaging of the lymphatic system.Uses a very small, safe amount of radioactive material.liNo surgical incision is required for the imaging itself./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Staging of melanoma to locate the sentinel lymph node(s).
- Staging of breast cancer for sentinel lymph node identification.
- Evaluation of other cancers (e.g., penile, vulvar, head and neck) for lymphatic mapping.
- Diagnosing lymphedema (swelling caused by lymphatic system blockage).
- Identifying the site of a lymphatic leak or fistula.
- Planning for radiation therapy fields.
- Assessing the function of the lymphatic system in congenital or acquired disorders.
How to prepare
- Inform your doctor about all medications, allergies, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Usually, no special diet or fasting is required.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
- You may be asked to remove jewelry and other metal objects.
- The procedure and its benefits/risks will be explained, and you will need to provide informed consent.
- For some studies, you may be asked to massage the injection site to aid tracer movement.
Risks & possible complications
- Minor discomfort, bruising, or redness at the injection site.
- Allergic reaction to the radiopharmaceutical (very rare).
- Low-level radiation exposure, which is considered safe and comparable to other diagnostic imaging tests.
- There is a very small risk of infection at the injection site.
- The test may occasionally fail to identify the sentinel node, requiring alternative methods.
Recovery & hospital stay
- You can typically resume normal activities and diet immediately after the scan.
- Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the tracer from your body.
- The radioactive material decays and is eliminated naturally within a day or two.
- You may receive specific instructions if the lymphoscintigraphy is performed just before a surgical biopsy.
- Mild soreness at the injection site can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.
- Follow any additional post-procedure instructions provided by the nuclear medicine team or your surgeon.
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Typical hospital stay:
0 days (outpatient procedure)
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Expected recovery time:
0-1 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering lymphoscintigraphy in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with nuclear medicine departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform lymphoscintigraphy. MediFyr helps you compare nuclear medicines and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for lymphoscintigraphy compare across other countries where we have data.
As an 82-year-old with multiple health...
As an 82-year-old with multiple health issues, I was terrified of undergoing a PET scan. Dr. Arun Prashanth not only explained the entire nuclear medicine procedure in simple Tamil but held my hand throughout the process. His team at MIOT made me feel like family rather than just another patient.