Radioactive blue dye injected to the breast for lymph node dissection
Has anyone had this radioactive dye injected tracer before surgery to see if cancer in the lymph nodes. I understand it is very painful and since I was told this would be done for me before I have the lumpectomy removed in my breast. I, want to know more about it. Hope someone can advise me.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.
Hi
I had the blue dye but they did not inject it until I was put out in the operating room
I did not have dizziness but a month after my lumpectomy, my scar is healed but the SN injection site is still sore around the nipple and sort of a tan color.
I had a left breast mastectomy 6 years ago for ILC and I had no idea that they were even going to do this procedure - it was very painful!! However, I was recently diagnosed once again with ILC in the right breast (it did not spread from my prior cancer) but this time they did the injection while I was in surgery so that was much better. I think I was more worried about having the injection than I was having another mastectomy.
I peed blue as well....I called my surgeon and she told me that it was the dye used in the sentinel node bx...but yes, it would have saved some apprehension if I knew that ahead of time.
Wish they had mixed lidocaine in with mine. The whole ordeal was horrendous. Yes, women are treated poorly in this regard. If a man had that kind of shot in his testicles I do believe he would be given and anesthetic.
I just had it done 3 weeks ago. Inserting the dye really wasn't bad. Lumpectomy wasn't bad. In my case they took 2 lymphnodes. The scar from that can be problematic just because it's in a place that chafes.
Same here, the Doctor was very nice and told me for infection sake they dont do the 4 injections of a numbing agent and then 4 injections of the dye! He did apologise but thats how they do it? I didnt see much blue after , maybe because the did remove some lymph nodes?
As I recall, the injection hurt a little more than I expected but I was so happy to have surgery (getting the cancer out!) that I didn't care. It was not traumatic.
Five years ago had the blue dye injection for sentinel node removal. I read this was very painful. So I was worried. Called the nurse navigator and she called radiology department who explained it use to be painful, but the dye product has changed and it no longer should be any problem. Did not have any pain. Even injection did not hurt. You do urinate the blue dye, but it doesn’t cause discomfort. The site of the surgery was a bit sore, but not bad. Pain relievers took care of any pain for the first few days. I don’t think I took anything 2 days after. Hope this helps. I know I felt better after I received more info from radiology on the procedure.
For me; The radioactive dye was administered night before prior to surgery as it needs time to “travel” the lymph route. Once sedated the blue dye injection was administered.