The Turkish SentiMAG feasibility trial: preliminary results

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Magnetic technique; Sentinel lymph node biopsy.