SLNB
Also written as: SLNB — sentinel lymph node biopsy
Acronym for sentinel lymph node biopsy, a staging procedure to assess lymphatic spread in cancer patients.
Full Definition
SLNB (sentinel lymph node biopsy) is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to determine whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. The procedure involves identifying and removing the first lymph node or nodes that cancer cells would likely reach from a primary tumor site. A radioactive tracer and/or blue dye is injected near the tumor to map the lymphatic drainage pathway. This technique is widely used in breast cancer, melanoma, and other solid tumors to guide treatment decisions while minimizing surgical morbidity compared to complete lymph node dissection.
Usage
Usage note: Always spell out on first use in patient documents; commonly abbreviated in clinical notes.
In Context
- "The pathology report confirmed negative SLNB results, allowing the patient to avoid axillary lymph node dissection." — Clinical documentation
- "SLNB has become the standard of care for clinically node-negative breast cancer patients." — Treatment guideline