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Sentinel lymph node biopsy |
22 October 2004 |
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How a new and less invasive procedure could help breast cancer sufferers
A new training programme for surgeons is being launched this week which means some forms of breast cancer could be treated with far less drastic surgery.
Because cancer cells can travel from the breast into the arm pit, when surgeons remove a lump from the breast they often take out the lymph nodes located under the arm, just in case. In many cases the lymph nodes turn out not to be cancerous after all. Such radical surgery can be excruciatingly painful. But new research has led to a much less invasive procedure. The research by scientists at the University of Wales College of Medicine has found that by removing just one gland from under the arm, specialists can now tell whether the cancer has spread.
Called Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy, it’s already standard practice in other countries. Here in Britain, 1,600 women took part in the trial. Now the Royal College of Surgeons is rolling out the training scheme for surgeons across the country.
Our reporter Rachel Ellison went to meet Mohammed Keshtgar, a consultant surgeon at University College Hospital in London, one of the centres for the new technique. Rachel also spoke to two of Mr Keshtgar’s patients Mary Robertson and Jenny Williams.
Breast Cancer Care
BBC Women's Health: Breast CancerDisclaimer
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