Lymphatic Scan for Patients with Breast Cancer
* Inform your physician if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
You have been scheduled for a Lymphatic study which involves the use of a small amount of radioactive material. The level of radioactivity used is extremely low and has no side effects.
You will be positioned on an imaging table, under a special detector called a gamma camera. The camera does not produce any radiation. It will be placed close to the part of your body being imaged. The radioactivity that travels to your lymph nodes will guide your surgeon for removal.
Patient Preparation
None.
Procedure
This is a two part procedure. For the first part, you will be injected around the areola (nipple) with a series of small injections (usually 3) with a small amount of radioactive material. The injections are placed between the layers of your skin, and will burn and sting. On your second visit, usually several hours later, painless images will be obtained for approximately 30 minutes.
Reviewed and Approved:
Kirk Frey, MD
Robert Ackermann
11/2011
