"The Guidelines" that I speak of were given to me by our Nuclear Med people.
They apparently are not unique to our facility since I have received
responses from other institutions that quote the same precautions.  As far
as the reasoning for sentinel node and mastectomy, I really can't say.....
only that we have done two node biopsies and have received one mastectomy
specimen.

Tom Mc Nemar
Pathology Supervisor
Licking Memorial Hospital
Newark, Ohio

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	RSRICHMOND@aol.com [SMTP:RSRICHMOND@aol.com]
> Sent:	Friday, April 14, 2000 4:28 AM
> To:	histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject:	Sentinel Lymph Nodes
> 
> Tom Mc Nemar at Licking Memorial Hospital in Newark, Ohio asks:
> 
> << I'm not so much concerned about the nodes themselves as I am about the 
> larger mastectomy specimens. The guidelines I have say that they should be
> 
> tested for radiation prior to handling or placed behind a lead shield for
> 2.5 
> days before handling. If this is true, what about handling in surgery or 
> during transportation to the lab? Does anyone take any further precautions
> 
> with the larger specimens? >>
> 
> Pray tell, what are "the guidelines"? Is this some scripture I'm not aware
> 
> of? 
> 
> And why do a sentinel node biopsy if you're going to do a mastectomy?
> 
> I'm distressed by several comments that people didn't know that they were 
> handling radioactive material. I've encountered this situation in my
> travels 
> also. Although the amount of radioactive material involved may be
> negigible, 
> I think it's perhaps "good management" but certainly unethical not to
> inform 
> people that they're handling radioactive material. Could your pathologists
> 
> possibly be that ignorant?
> 
> Bob Richmond
> Samurai Pathologist, not glowing in the dark yet
> Knoxville TN