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Sentinel Node Biopsy
If skin cancer is found, the next step is to see whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Rather than removing all the lymph nodes near the tumor site, Fox Chase surgeons remove only the lymph nodes most likely to contain skin cancer through a procedure called a sentinel node biopsy.
If no cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes, then the cancer has probably not spread. If cancer is found in the lymph nodes, additional therapy can be promptly given to increase the chances for survival.
Skin biopsies carry some risk of scarring. Fox Chase skin cancer specialists are skilled at performing biopsies that minimize scarring and promote rapid healing.