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| Bubbles used to find cancer cells | Bubbles used to find cancer cells |
| (1 day later) | |
| A new technique using tiny bubbles to detect cancer has been developed by clinicians at a hospital in Kent. | A new technique using tiny bubbles to detect cancer has been developed by clinicians at a hospital in Kent. |
| Fifty-four patients were tested in the "microbubble" study at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. | Fifty-four patients were tested in the "microbubble" study at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. |
| The results, which were published in the British Journal of Surgery, suggested that breast cancer patients could avoid repeat surgery. | The results, which were published in the British Journal of Surgery, suggested that breast cancer patients could avoid repeat surgery. |
| Dr Ali Sever, consultant radiologist, who led the study, said the tests transform the way they treat patients. | Dr Ali Sever, consultant radiologist, who led the study, said the tests transform the way they treat patients. |
| He said: "This is a world first. The test only takes a few minutes to perform and has transformed the way we care for patients." | He said: "This is a world first. The test only takes a few minutes to perform and has transformed the way we care for patients." |
| Fine needle biopsy | Fine needle biopsy |
| Normally, while undergoing surgery to remove breast cancer, surgeons routinely recommend that patients also have an operation to remove glands in their armpit to check if they are cancerous. | Normally, while undergoing surgery to remove breast cancer, surgeons routinely recommend that patients also have an operation to remove glands in their armpit to check if they are cancerous. |
| It is found during the operation with the aid of a coloured dye and is removed for testing. If the nodes are found to be cancerous a second operation is required to remove all the remaining glands in the armpit. | It is found during the operation with the aid of a coloured dye and is removed for testing. If the nodes are found to be cancerous a second operation is required to remove all the remaining glands in the armpit. |
| Using the microbubble technique pioneered at the breast cancer unit at Maidstone Hospital, radiologists can test for cancer using only a fine needle biopsy. | Using the microbubble technique pioneered at the breast cancer unit at Maidstone Hospital, radiologists can test for cancer using only a fine needle biopsy. |
| The use of ultrasound with microbubbles to detect the sentinel lymph node is unique and something that will benefit breast cancer care around the world Dr Ali Sever, consultant radiologist | The use of ultrasound with microbubbles to detect the sentinel lymph node is unique and something that will benefit breast cancer care around the world Dr Ali Sever, consultant radiologist |
| Surgery is then only necessary if the cancer has spread. | Surgery is then only necessary if the cancer has spread. |
| Radiologists inject the microbubbles, which are in a tiny amount of fluid, into the patient's breast. | Radiologists inject the microbubbles, which are in a tiny amount of fluid, into the patient's breast. |
| The microbubbles travel to the "sentinel lymph node", the first to be affected if the cancer has spread, and can be spotted using ultrasound. | The microbubbles travel to the "sentinel lymph node", the first to be affected if the cancer has spread, and can be spotted using ultrasound. |
| A fine needle biopsy can then be performed to see if the node is cancerous. | A fine needle biopsy can then be performed to see if the node is cancerous. |
| If the test is positive, patients have just one operation to remove all the lymph glands at the same time as their main operation. | If the test is positive, patients have just one operation to remove all the lymph glands at the same time as their main operation. |
| Dr Sever added: "The use of ultrasound with microbubbles to detect the sentinel lymph node is unique and something that will benefit breast cancer care around the world." | Dr Sever added: "The use of ultrasound with microbubbles to detect the sentinel lymph node is unique and something that will benefit breast cancer care around the world." |
| The microbubble test was more sensitive than the coloured dye test in 89% of the cases used in the study. | |
| 'Still traumatic' | 'Still traumatic' |
| Sue Jones, a consultant breast and oncoplastic surgeon who helped developed the procedure, said: "Telling women who have undergone breast cancer surgery that they need another operation because the cancer has spread to the sentinel lymph node is the worst news they can hear. | Sue Jones, a consultant breast and oncoplastic surgeon who helped developed the procedure, said: "Telling women who have undergone breast cancer surgery that they need another operation because the cancer has spread to the sentinel lymph node is the worst news they can hear. |
| "It is a real emotional set back in their cancer journey. | "It is a real emotional set back in their cancer journey. |
| "While still traumatic, patients seem to deal with this news much better if they find out before operation that the lymph glands have cancer in them." | "While still traumatic, patients seem to deal with this news much better if they find out before operation that the lymph glands have cancer in them." |
| About 25% of breast cancer patients are found to have cancer in the sentinel lymph node and need a second operation. | About 25% of breast cancer patients are found to have cancer in the sentinel lymph node and need a second operation. |
| Consultant breast surgeon Mr Peter Jones added: "It is possible for breast teams to use this test and thousands of women can avoid unnecessary surgery." | Consultant breast surgeon Mr Peter Jones added: "It is possible for breast teams to use this test and thousands of women can avoid unnecessary surgery." |
| Beverley Wilson said she felt very privileged to have been part of the study |
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