BREAST CANCER TREATMENT

As a result of numerous worldwide studies, women no longer have to have a mastectomy for the treatment of breast cancer. Lumpectomy and radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy and hormonal treatments, have now enabled women to save their breasts and enjoy the same opportunity for long-term survival as if they had had a mastectomy.

Sentinel Node Biopsy

Traditional breast surgery advocated axillary lymph node dissection as essential in the treatment of breast cancer. However, axillary dissection often results in complications, such as pain, parethesia, seroma, infection, and limited shoulder motion. In 10 percent of patients, the procedure results in lymphedema, a lifelong, debilitating condition in which there is no cure.

However, a new surgical technique known as sentinel node biopsy could save the lymph nodes during breast cancer surgery. The technique involves removing one key node for testing to predict the axillary nodal status. When cancer is present, the sentinel node is the primary node that collects fluids that drain from the cancer cells.

Dr. Gordon Gutmann, general surgeon, and his team of medical professionals, are using this procedure to treat breast cancer.

Since the sentinel node can vary between women, a radioactive colloid is injected into the peritumoral area and is carried through the lymph system into the sentinel node. The colloid tags the sentinel node, which is then removed and tested for the presence of cancer. An isosulfan blue dye can also be used to aid in the identification of the sentinel lymph node. According to recent research, the status of the lymph glands is considered one of the most important indicators of prognosis.

The sentinel node biopsy is performed prior to any breast cancer surgery. If cancer is present, a lymphadenectomy is performed concurrently with the lumpectomy or mastectomy.

One of the advantages to this procedure is its ability to accurately provide staging information that can be used to determine and refine treatment options. In addition, it can accurately identify the presence of metastasis, or prevent a complete lymphadenectomy with its increased morbidity.

For more information about the procedure, contact Dr. Gutmann’s office at 282-0637.