Sentinel Node Surgery: Risks, Complications & What to Expect

The sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the node "to which cancer cells are likely to spread from the primary tumor," according to a fact sheet of the National Cancer Institute. A biopsy of the SLN allows doctors to determine if breast or skin cancer has spread beyond its original site.

General Complications

• Like any surgical procedure, sentinel node surgery carries a risk of infection, fever, bleeding, bruising, nausea and vomiting.

Allergic Reactions

• Doctors use a special dye to identify the sentinel node. In some cases, the patient may experience an allergic reaction, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Lymphedema

• Removing lymph nodes introduces the risk of lymphedema---swelling in the arms and legs that results from missing or improperly functioning lymph nodes, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society.

Nerve Damage

• Sentinel node surgery rarely may cause nerve damage that produces sensations of numbness and tingling, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society.

Other Complications

• Other complications include poor wound healing, permanent dye stain at the site of incision, pain, scarring, and a lump, or fluid buildup, at the incision site.