Sentinel Node Biopsy Treatment in Turkey
About Sentinel Node Biopsy
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive procedure with high diagnostic accuracy.Helps in accurate cancer staging without extensive surgery.Significantly reduces the risk of lymphedema compared to full lymph node removal.Guides personalized treatment decisions (e.g., need for further surgery or chemotherapy).Typically performed as a same-day or short-stay procedure.Leads to faster recovery and less post-operative pain./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Diagnosed early-stage breast cancer (invasive ductal or lobular carcinoma).
- Diagnosed melanoma with a certain thickness (Breslow depth).
- Some cases of other cancers like penile, vulvar, or head and neck cancers.
- To determine if cancer has metastasized to the lymph nodes when imaging is inconclusive.
- As part of the surgical planning for tumor removal.
How to prepare
- Complete pre-operative medical evaluation, including blood tests and possibly an ECG.
- Discussion of all medications (especially blood thinners) with the surgeon; some may need to be paused.
- Fasting for 6-8 hours before the procedure as per anesthesia guidelines.
- Injection of a small amount of radioactive tracer and/or blue dye near the tumor site on the day of or before surgery to map the lymph nodes.
- Arranging for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
Risks & possible complications
- Allergic reaction to the blue dye (rare).
- Infection, bleeding, or bruising at the injection or incision site.
- Seroma (fluid collection) or hematoma (blood collection).
- Temporary skin discoloration from the blue dye or altered sensation.
- Risk of a false-negative result (cancer is present but not detected in the sentinel node).
- Small risk of lymphedema, though much lower than with full lymph node dissection.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Most patients can go home the same day or after a short observation period.
- Mild pain or discomfort at the incision site is managed with prescribed pain medication.
- Keep the surgical area clean and dry; follow specific instructions on showering and dressing changes.
- Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and vigorous arm movements (for upper body procedures) for 1-2 weeks.
- Attend all follow-up appointments to discuss the biopsy results and next steps in treatment.
- Watch for signs of infection (increased redness, swelling, fever, or pus) and contact your doctor immediately if they occur.
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Typical hospital stay:
0-1 days
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Expected recovery time:
1-2 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering sentinel node biopsy in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with surgical oncology 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 sentinel node biopsy. MediFyr helps you compare surgical oncologists 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 sentinel node biopsy compare across other countries where we have data.
As a young professional with a...
As a young professional with a hectic schedule, Dr. Acharya’s team accommodated my follow-ups efficiently without ever making me feel rushed. His balance of expertise and empathy is rare in surgical fields.