Detection of tumour containing sentinel lymph node in breast cancer by injection of fluorescence tracer through “dual route” in breast tissue and intravenously

Abstract

A new technique of identifying tumour containing sentinel lymph node has been developed. Sentinel node biopsy is the current standard of care practice for assessing axillary nodal status in ladies with early breast cancer. Sentinel node biopsy is performed by using a combination of a blue dye and an isotope tagged to a large particulate matter like sulphur colloid or albumin. These tracers are injected in the breast tissue or skin over the breast. We describe a new method of “dual route of injection” of tracers both in the breast as well as in the systemic circulation through a peripheral vein. This method of dual route injection is expected to detect the axillary nodes containing tumour metastasis and reduce the probability of missing a “false negative sentinel lymph node”.