New test to determine cancer spread?
Meet the Experts
Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, dedicated to developing programs that improve the well-being of women treated for breast cancer.
Question from CindyM: The latest issue of Time magazine lists the 10 Biggest Medical Breakthroughs: #2 is "Test for Metastatic Cancer, the GeneSearch BLN Assay, which can tell doctors midsurgery whether breast cancer has spread, allowing them to remove the affected lymph nodes during a lumpectomy or mastectomy.” Does this mean there is no need for a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
- Answer —Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.:
This is a test done on lymph nodes removed during the time of the breast operation. It's actually done on the sentinel lymph node, and does not eliminate the need for the sentinel lymph node biopsy. The advantage of this type of study is that it can return results more quickly than a pathologist who has to slice through the node in 100 different slices and look at them under the microscope.
This type of test looks for cancer cell genes in the lymph node tissue. The assay that you refer to is one of several types of tests that can be done on lymph nodes. Certainly if we are confident in the results of this test, this technology could reduce the need for people having to go back to the operating room to have more surgery.
Sentinel lymph nodes can tell us if the first node that the breast leads to, the lymph node draining the breast, has cancer in it. If the sentinel lymph node is positive, women are usually advised to have another surgery to remove additional nodes under the arm. This assay, the BLN assay, could avoid the need to go back to the operating room in somebody with a sentinel node that is positive, and she would have her second surgery at the same time she has her initial surgery.
On December 19, 2007, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from San Antonio 2007. Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. answered your questions and shared the newest research presented at this year's San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.
A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.