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The purpose of this study is to detect and localise the lymphatic drainage from the site of skin cancer(melanoma) .This will assist the surgeons in minimising the amount of tissue removed from the patient during surgical removal of the tumour. This test is usually performed on the same day as the surgery.
On arrival we will give you 2 to 4 radioactive injections subcutaneously (i.e. under the skin) into the tumour region. Pictures of this region will be taken with a gamma camera. You will be lying down on a couch. In order to get good quality pictures the gamma camera will be close and you will have to keep still. The scan will take up to 45 minutes. You do not normally need to take off any clothing, but jewellery and metal objects must be removed.
If you are pregnant, or you think you might be pregnant, you need to inform your doctor or the Nuclear Medicine staff before attending your appointment. In general, exposure to radiation during pregnancy should be kept to a minimum and it may be necessary to postpone your scan. The present guidelines recommend that breast-feeding need not be interrupted if the mother is undergoing this test; however, it is advisable to feed the baby before the injection and to express and discard any milk secreted over the first 3 hours following the injection.
We would prefer that you do not bring more than one person with you. It is advisable not to have a pregnant woman or a small child with you. This is to avoid exposing them to unnecessary radiation. It is also preferable to avoid prolonged close contact (hugging a child / sitting a child on your knee for more than half an hour) for the rest of the day.
You may eat and drink as normal.
You may feel a slight pinprick from the injection needle. Our doctors will be available during your stay in the department to answer any queries and to provide medical cover in case of any side effect from the injection we give you (please note that side effects are extremely rare).
The amount of radioactivity you receive in this study is strictly within the recommended national level. At this level, the benefit to you from a diagnosis of your condition outweighs the risk (negligible) of any harm associated with the radiation you will receive.
You may eat as normal. The more fluid you drink the better, as the radioactivity is passed out in the urine. No extra precautions need to be taken when passing urine. Having said this, if you are having surgery on the same day, you need to follow the pre-operative advice given to you.
The Nuclear Medicine doctor will report on the study and the result will be sent to your doctor/surgeon before you go to theatre.