A sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) checks the first lymph node your cancer would reach — so doctors know if it has spread without removing every node in the armpit. If the sentinel node is clear, you avoid a full axillary clearance and its higher risk of lymphedema. Medifly's senior surgical oncology teams in India perform SLNB as a routine day-care procedure at $1,200–$3,000 all-inclusive, 80–90% less than the US or UK.
A sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a minimally invasive operation that finds and removes the sentinel node — the very first lymph node (or two) that cancer cells are most likely to travel to from the original tumour. By examining only that node, surgeons can tell whether the cancer has begun to spread, while leaving the rest of the lymph nodes in place.
To find the sentinel node, a small amount of radioactive tracer and/or blue dye is injected near the tumour. The dye and tracer drain along the same path the cancer would, lighting up the sentinel node so the surgeon can locate it with a gamma probe and remove it through a tiny incision. According to the National Cancer Institute ↗, SLNB has become a standard way to stage the lymph nodes in early breast cancer and melanoma.
At Medifly Healthcare's partner hospitals, dedicated breast cancer and surgical oncology teams — combining senior surgeons, nuclear medicine specialists, pathologists, and oncologists — perform SLNB as routine. If the sentinel node is clear, a full axillary clearance is avoided; if cancer is found, your treatment is planned accordingly. Explore our breast cancer treatment options to see where SLNB fits.
Whether you have just been diagnosed, or you are weighing how much surgery you really need, these are the questions that keep families awake at night — and exactly how we resolve them.
In the USA, a sentinel lymph node biopsy typically runs $10,000–$30,000 once you include the tracer, surgery, anaesthesia, and pathology. In the UK private system, expect £6,000–£12,000. In India, the same procedure by senior surgical oncologists costs $1,200–$3,000 all-inclusive — covering the tracer and mapping, surgery, anaesthesia, day-care or short stay, and node pathology.
Transparent written packages with no hidden charges — tracer, mapping, surgery, anaesthesia, and node pathology included. Read about medical tourism →
In many countries, the wait for cancer staging surgery runs weeks to months, and delays add anxiety while the disease is left unassessed. India's high-volume breast and oncology units change this. Once your reports are reviewed and your axilla is confirmed clinically node-negative, SLNB can usually be scheduled within days of arrival — giving patients a timely answer on whether the cancer has spread.
Your case is reviewed quickly by senior surgical oncologists who do SLNB routinely, and surgery is scheduled promptly once you are cleared. Get an expert second opinion →
A very common, very human concern. The short answer: often, no. An SLNB removes only the sentinel node or two, so if it is clear, you avoid a full axillary clearance — and with it, most of the lymphedema, numbness, and shoulder stiffness that a bigger operation can bring. Lymphedema risk after SLNB is far lower than after axillary dissection, and is actively managed from day one.
Minimally invasive node mapping, careful surgery, and lymphedema prevention are built into the pathway. Meet our surgical team →
Whether SLNB is the right next step depends on tumour size, the type of cancer, and whether the armpit looks clear on ultrasound — and the reports are full of unfamiliar terms. For a patient already coping with a diagnosis, this feels overwhelming. Medifly's medical team reviews your mammogram, biopsy, and axillary ultrasound, then a senior surgical oncologist gives you a clear, honest opinion on whether SLNB, axillary dissection, or another approach suits your case.
Real doctors review your reports first and explain your options clearly before any decision — no jargon, no pressure. See our consultant service →
Travelling abroad for surgery sounds intimidating. You need an Indian medical visa, an attendant visa for family, flights coordinated around the procedure, accommodation that supports a short stay, wound care, language interpretation, transport to follow-up visits, and continuity with your home oncologist once pathology is back. Medifly handles all of it as one coordinated service — and because SLNB is usually day-care, the trip can be short.
Full end-to-end coordination is built into the package — visa, travel, accommodation, wound care, language support in 8+ languages, and long-term follow-up. See our coordination process → · Talk to a consultant →
We do not simply forward your reports to a referral panel. We connect you with breast and oncology units that perform hundreds of cancer surgeries per year — and we stay with you for years after you return home. Learn more about us →
Senior surgical oncologists, nuclear medicine specialists, pathologists, and medical oncologists plan and treat as one tumour board — the model proven to deliver the best cancer outcomes.
Our centres use radioisotope and blue dye together — and fluorescence where available — to find the sentinel node reliably, giving high detection rates and accurate staging.
Whether you need SLNB alone, SLNB with breast-conserving surgery, or a full mastectomy, Medifly's network covers the complete range — matched to your cancer.
Because SLNB spares most of the lymph nodes, the risk of arm swelling is low — and our teams add graded exercises and arm-care guidance to keep it that way.
Written, all-inclusive cost packages before you board. Tracer, mapping, surgery, anaesthesia, day-care stay, and node pathology included — with no surprise bills.
Medifly handles every logistical detail across the cancer journey — visas for patient and attendant, accommodation, wound care, language interpretation, and follow-up after you return home.
Understanding exactly what happens during an SLNB removes most of the fear. Here is the standard sequence at Medifly's partner hospitals.
A small amount of radioactive tracer and/or blue dye is injected near the tumour or areola. It travels along the lymphatic channels and collects in the sentinel node, marking it for the surgeon.
Under general (or sometimes local) anaesthesia, the surgeon makes a small incision in the armpit and uses a gamma probe and the visible dye to pinpoint the sentinel node.
The sentinel node — and any other node that is "hot" or stained blue, usually one or two — is carefully removed, while nearby nerves and vessels are protected.
The node is examined, sometimes by frozen section during surgery. If clear, no further node surgery is needed; if cancer is found, axillary treatment or radiation is planned. Total time 30–60 minutes when done alone.
How the sentinel node is found, and what surgery it is combined with, depends on your tumour, the equipment available, and the surgeon's preference. Medifly's partner teams offer the full spectrum, with dual-tracer SLNB the standard for accurate staging.
Combines a radioactive tracer with blue dye to map the sentinel node, giving the highest detection rate and the lowest false-negative rate. The gold-standard technique for staging the axilla in early breast cancer.
Isotope + dye · highest accuracyA small dose of Technetium-99m tracer is injected and tracked with a gamma probe. The "hot" node is the sentinel node — a reliable, widely used method, often confirmed before surgery with a lymphoscintigraphy scan.
Gamma probe · pre-op scanIsosulfan or methylene blue dye is injected and followed visually to the stained sentinel node. Simple and effective, used alone where tracer is unavailable or alongside isotope for added accuracy.
Visual tracking · no radiationIndocyanine green dye is injected and viewed under near-infrared light, making the lymphatic channels and sentinel node glow. A modern, radiation-free option available at select centres.
Near-infrared · radiation-freeSuperparamagnetic iron oxide particles map the sentinel node, detected with a handheld magnetometer. Useful where nuclear medicine is not on-site, with accuracy comparable to the standard method.
Iron tracer · no isotope neededThe sentinel node is examined by a pathologist during the operation. If cancer is found, the surgeon can proceed to axillary treatment in the same sitting — sparing the patient a second operation.
Intra-operative · one-stageSentinel node biopsy is performed together with a lumpectomy, removing the tumour and staging the axilla in one operation while keeping most of the breast and most of the nodes.
Lumpectomy + node checkFor selected patients whose nodes responded to chemotherapy, a targeted sentinel node biopsy can confirm the axilla is clear — potentially avoiding a full clearance even in initially node-positive disease.
Post-chemo · selected casesA sentinel lymph node biopsy is advised when the axilla looks clinically clear but the cancer still needs accurate staging. Here are the typical indications.
Small invasive breast cancers with no obviously involved nodes are the most common reason for SLNB.
When examination and ultrasound show no enlarged nodes, SLNB confirms whether microscopic spread is present.
Extensive ductal carcinoma in situ treated by mastectomy is staged with SLNB at the same operation.
SLNB stages the regional nodes in melanoma of certain depths, guiding further treatment decisions.
Done together with a lumpectomy, SLNB checks the axilla while keeping most of the breast intact.
Smaller tumours with a clinically clear armpit are well suited to sentinel node staging.
SLNB lets many patients skip a full node clearance — and its higher complication rate — when the sentinel node is clear.
For some patients whose nodes responded to chemotherapy, a targeted SLNB re-checks the axilla.
Bigger or advanced cancers may need a full axillary dissection rather than sentinel biopsy alone.
Prior surgery in the armpit can disturb lymphatic mapping — careful assessment decides if SLNB is feasible.
When nodes are clearly involved on examination or biopsy, axillary dissection is usually preferred over SLNB.
This aggressive form is not staged with SLNB; a full axillary approach is part of standard treatment.
An SLNB can stage your cancer accurately while sparing you a much bigger operation — but no procedure is without considerations. Here is what to genuinely expect, in plain language.
A sentinel lymph node biopsy is a well-established, minimally invasive operation — for international patients, a typical stay is just a few days for mapping, surgery, and the pathology result, longer if it is combined with other surgery or treatment. Here is the standard timeline.
WhatsApp +91 99449 38508 with your mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy, receptor report, and any axillary imaging. Expert surgical oncology assessment within 24 hours. No fee, no obligation.
Surgical plan, written cost package, hospital matching, e-Medical Visa, attendant visa, flights, and accommodation arranged.
Airport pickup, accommodation, in-person consultation, axillary ultrasound review, lymphatic mapping work-up, and anaesthesia clearance.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy. 30–60 minutes under anaesthesia. Usually day-care or a single overnight stay, with pain well controlled.
Wound check, node pathology review, next-step planning (further surgery or none), follow-up coordination with home oncologist, and return travel arranged.
All prices below are all-inclusive (tracer, mapping, surgery, anaesthesia, day-care stay, node pathology) and current for 2026. Indicative — your exact package depends on whether SLNB is combined with other surgery, the complexity of your case, and hospital tier.
| Country / Region | SLNB (All-Inclusive) |
|---|---|
| 🇺🇸USA (private hospitals) | $10,000 – $30,000 |
| 🇬🇧UK (private) | £6,000 – £12,000 (~$7,700–$15,000) |
| 🇩🇪Germany | €8,000 – €16,000 |
| 🇸🇬Singapore | SGD 14,000 – SGD 28,000 |
| 🇦🇪UAE / Dubai | AED 25,000 – AED 55,000 |
| 🇹🇭Thailand | $3,500 – $7,000 |
| 🇮🇳India (Medifly Partners) | $1,200 – $3,000 |
A typical patient travelling for a sentinel lymph node biopsy saves enough to cover visas, flights, accommodation, and follow-up — often the difference between affordable and impossible.
The more complete your pre-arrival package, the smoother your evaluation, mapping, and surgery. Here is the checklist we share with every patient.
For over 15 years, Medifly Healthcare has been the trusted partner for international and domestic patients seeking cancer surgery and complex care in India. Read our story → · Meet our doctors →
Senior surgical oncologists, nuclear medicine specialists, and pathologists working as one tumour board — hundreds of cancer surgeries per year per centre, the volume proven to deliver the best outcomes.
Surgery only at top NABH (India) and JCI (international) accredited multispecialty and cancer hospitals — Apollo, Fortis, MGM Healthcare, Gleneagles, Kauvery, SIMS.
Real doctors review your reports first — not call-centre staff. Your case is understood properly before it reaches the surgical team.
WhatsApp +91 99449 38508 any time. A real coordinator who knows your case responds — not an automated system or chatbot.
English, Arabic, French, Russian, Bengali, Tamil, Hindi, Swahili — communicate in the language you are most comfortable with.
After you return home, our team continues coordinating with your local oncologist — onward treatment, surveillance imaging, and long-term care.
All Medifly partner hospitals are NABH-accredited, with most also holding JCI international accreditation. Each has dedicated breast cancer units, surgical oncology teams, nuclear medicine support, and combined medical–surgical–radiation oncology boards. Compare top breast cancer hospitals in India →
These patients needed their lymph nodes staged and chose sentinel lymph node biopsy in India when time and cost were against them. Each one is living well today. Start your story →
"I was told all my armpit nodes might have to come out. Medifly arranged a sentinel node biopsy in Chennai instead. Only one node was removed, it was clear, and I avoided the bigger surgery. My arm is completely normal and I am well two years on."
"The node staging surgery was quoted at over $20,000 in the US and our insurance left a huge gap. Medifly arranged the same dual-tracer sentinel biopsy in India for a fraction of that. The surgeon had done hundreds of these. I felt completely cared for."
"I'm from Patna. My local hospital had no nuclear medicine for node mapping. Medifly's surgeon did my lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy together in one operation. The node was clear, I went home the next day, and the cost was a fraction of what I feared."
"My wife's early breast cancer needed accurate staging. The Abu Dhabi quote was enormous and the wait uncertain. The Chennai breast team mapped and removed her sentinel node in under an hour. It was clear, so no further node surgery was needed. She recovered in days."
"Two hospitals in Lagos could not offer sentinel node mapping at all. Medifly arranged urgent assessment in India — a dual-tracer sentinel biopsy within weeks. The result guided exactly what treatment I needed next, and the coordinator stayed in touch with my doctor at home for over a year."
"The wait for staging surgery at home was long and I was anxious about the unknown. I was assessed and operated within a week of arriving in India. The minimally invasive technique meant a tiny incision and a fast recovery. The team are still in touch with my GP about follow-up."
According to the World Health Organization ↗, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide — and accurate lymph node staging is a central step in planning the right treatment.
You have early cancer with a clinically clear armpit and need to know whether it has spread. SLNB is the standard, dependable way to answer that — and India's high-volume teams perform it routinely.
If the wait for staging surgery at home runs weeks to months and you are anxious about the unknown, SLNB in India can usually be scheduled within days of arrival once you are assessed.
If you have been quoted $10,000+ in the US, £6,000+ in UK private, or AED 25,000+ in UAE for node staging surgery, India offers the same procedure by similarly-trained surgical oncologists at $1,200–$3,000 all-inclusive.
If you want to spare yourself the higher lymphedema risk of an axillary dissection, SLNB checks the nodes first — and a clear result means no full clearance is needed.
If you need a lumpectomy or mastectomy as well, SLNB can be combined with it in a single operation and a single coordinated package.
If your local hospital has no nuclear medicine or sentinel node service — whether you are in a smaller Indian city or a country without cancer facilities — Medifly arranges your full pathway with an experienced team in India.
The decision deserves the best information. A senior surgical oncology team reviews your reports within 24 hours and gives you a written, honest assessment — whether SLNB is appropriate, whether it should be combined with other surgery, what it will cost, and how soon we can arrange it. No fee. No obligation. Only clarity.
Send your reports today via WhatsApp. Within 24 hours, a senior surgical oncology team tells you whether SLNB is appropriate, whether it should be combined with other surgery, exactly what it will cost, which Indian hospital fits your case, and how soon we can arrange it. Then — if you choose to proceed — we coordinate every detail from visa to surgery to long-term follow-up. Explore: breast cancer treatment → · modified radical mastectomy → · patient blog →
