Abstract
Background
Some hospitals lack facilities for radioisotopes in sentinel node biopsy. A novel method is used with a superparamagnetic tracer and a magnetometer instead of a radioisotope.
Methods
Thirty patients were included in the study after obtaining IRB approval. Superparamagnetic iron oxide and patent blue dye were injected in the subareolar breast tissue. Following a few minutes of massage to promote migration of the iron tracer and blue dye throughout the lymphatic vessels, the axillary lymph nodes were detected transdermally using a handheld magnetometer and followed by standard axillary dissection in all patients.
Results
Of 30 patients evaluated, sentinel lymph nodes were identified in 90% (27/30) using both blue dye and magnetic tracer. Sentinel lymph nodes were identified using the magnetic method in 23/30 (77%) and blue dye in 24/30 (80%). There was one false-negative sentinel node, resulting in an overall sensitivity of 6/7 (86%).
Conclusions
This is the first study to use a magnetic tracer to identify sentinel lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer. This new technique may alter the role of radioisotopes with further refinement and experience.
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Acknowledgments
This work is partially supported by Jichi Medical University Young Investigator Award. The authors gratefully thank Jyun Hirota and Shinsaku Maeda for technical assistance with the magnetometer.
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Shiozawa, M., Lefor, A.T., Hozumi, Y. et al. Sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with breast cancer using superparamagnetic iron oxide and a magnetometer. Breast Cancer 20, 223–229 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12282-011-0327-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12282-011-0327-9