Definition: Sentinel lymph nodes are the first lymph nodes to receive lymphatic drainage from a tumor. For example, sentinel lymph nodes for colon cancer typically are located in the abdomen or the groin area, near to where the tumor is located. During surgery, sentinal lymph nodes may be removed to help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis and stage your disease. Stage of disease refers to how far beyond the original location a cancerous tumor has spread.
Pronunciation: sen-tin-ul limf nodes
Also Known As: sentinel nodes
