Feasibility of Magnetic Technique for Axillary Staging after Neoadjuvant Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients.

PURPOSE: Optimal axillary staging after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in node-negative breast cancer is an area of controversy. Sentinel node biopsy with Technetium-sulphur colloid (99m Tc) alone or with blue dye is the recommended technique for evaluating axilla in these patients. However, this technique has drawbacks such as limited access to nuclear departments and timing limitations related to Tc injection exposing patients to unnecessary radiation. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO) may represent a valid option for SLN biopsy. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of the magnetic technique (Sentimag) with combination of isosulfan blue dye in breast cancer patients who received NAC. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 54 female breast cancer patients who received NAC. Sentinel node localization was performed using magnetic technique and blue dye. Sentinel node identification rate (IFR) of magnetic technique was calculated and postoperative complications were assessed. RESULTS: Sentinel lymph node was detected in 52 patients with Sentimag method (identification rate = 96.3%, 95% CI: 87.4-98.9%). Blue dye was successful to find SLN in 38 patients (identification rate = 70%). The most common histologic type was invasive ductal (n = 51; 94.4%). Mean tumor size was 2.1 cm after NAC. Most of patients had T2 (n = 30; 55.5%) and HER2 + positive (n = 49; 90.7%) cancer. CONCLUSION: Sentimag which is a magnetic technique appears to be safe, easy to perform with minimal adverse effects, may be an alternative and accurate technique in patients with NAC, especially in breast units where nuclear medicine unit is not available.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/08941939.2022.2038737 .

The Turkish SentiMAG feasibility trial: preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is the standard of care for staging of the clinically and radiologically negative axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients. Sentinel node biopsy, with using Technetium-sulphur colloid (99 m Tc) alone or with blue dye is standard technique for evaluating axillary lymph nodes. This technique has drawbacks such as radiation exposure. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO) can represent a valid option for SNB. In this study; we tried to evaluate feasibility of new magnetic technique in Turkish early breast cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample consists of 143 women affected by early breast carcinoma with clinically negative axillary lymph nodes. Sentinel node localization was performed using magnetic technique. Detection rate of magnetic technique was calculated and postoperative complications were assessed. RESULTS: Results are based on 104 patients. Sentinel node identification rate was 99% (103/104, 95% CI 0.97-1.01) for magnetic technique. A median of two SNs per patient was removed. Major adverse reaction was the permanent skin coloration (7.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The magnetic technique is a feasible method for detecting SN in breast cancer patients with minimal adverse effects. Magnetic technique may be alternative to standard technique especially in breast units, where nuclear medicine unit is not available.

Comparison of Radio-guided Occult Lesion Localization (ROLL) and Magnetic Occult Lesion Localization (MOLL) for Non-palpable Lesions: A Phantom Model Study.

BACKGROUND: Localization of nonpalpable breast cancers can be achieved with several techniques. We sought to compare radio-guided localization (ROLL) and magnetic tracer localization (MOLL) techniques by using a phantom model we previously developed, which can provide an accurate simulation for excision of nonpalpable breast lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed 20 phantom models (10 MOLL, 10 ROLL group) for localization. A handheld gamma probe for the ROLL group and a manual magnetometer (SentiMag) for the MOLL group were used to test the ability of the modality to detect olives in turkey breasts. The excision time for each procedure, specimen size, and weight of the specimens removed from the turkey breasts were recorded. RESULTS: Both techniques resulted in 100% retrieval of the lesions. There was no difference between the groups in the duration of operative excision, specimen weight, or specimen volume. CONCLUSION: This experimental trial found similar success rates for ROLL and MOLL in localization of occult lesions using the turkey breast phantom model. MOLL can be performed in clinics without the need for a nuclear medicine team and radiation safety procedures.

The emerging role of national academies in surgical training: an inspiring environment for increasing the quality of health care in breast cancer management.

Medical education, both graduate and postgraduate, is given at medical schools and affiliated teaching hospitals. The training at these institutions is necessary and valuable. In each field of the medical profession, the relevant science is being developed and changed constantly. Training of medical staff and auxilliary professionals must be adaptable to changes in the field. Also, the development of standards for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases is important. Independent institutions, called academies, serve an extremely useful task in the continuing further training that needs to be adjusted according to individual needs. Academies are independent and free from bureaucracies. Standardized records are uniform and comparable at these institutions. Both patients and medical staff receive training from these institutions. In this way, a high standard is provided in medicine, error rates are decreased and patient satisfaction is increased. Breast cancer, the most common tumor in women, is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality. The European Institute of Oncology (EIO) in Milan, Italy and the European Academy of Senology in Duesseldorf, Germany play important roles in establishing the standards of breast care. They provide substantial training for physicians to achieve high quality in breast cancer management. SENATURK (Senoloji Akademisi, Turkish Academy of Senology) was established in 2010 in Istanbul, Turkey. Both national and international scientists and physicians including eminent senologists are currently faculty members of this young organization. SENATURK collaborates with other institutions in Europe. Its missions include developing training programs for each level of the profession, as well as developing data recording systems and electronic learning tools for breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and palliation. Briefly, SENATURK plays a significant role as the opinion leader on every aspect of health care related to conditions and diseases of the breast.