Just Diagnosed

LilacBlue

This is a procedure that is available in the UK, that I was able to have:

http://www.ajronline.org/doi/full/10.2214/AJR.11.7702

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110201122346.htm

The targeted needle biopsy (tiny shard of tissue taken from the left sentinel lymph) using microbubbles was done just after the stereoscopic biopsy by Dr. Ali Sever.  The lab results were back withn two days and able to experience relief of knowing that my needle biopsy was nagative. 

Beesie

LilacBlue, in reading these articles, it doesn't sound as though this procedure allows someone to pass on having the SNB - at least not now, although further advancements on this technique it might provide this as a future possibility.

In the AJROnline article, it specifically says "A negative axillary biopsy does not obviate conventional SLN biopsy."

So it appears that this technique might be very beneficial in cases where there is a more significant risk that there might be nodal involvement, since a positive result on this test would allow the surgeon to move straight to an ALND during the surgery, skipping the unnecessary step of doing the SNB. But when the result of this test is negative, it's not a definitive enough result to say that the patient is node negative and therefore an SNB isn't necessary.

LilacBlue

You are right.  This test has yet to have NICE approval, hence to be included as standard protocol.  It's moving towards the possibility of that happening as the research percentage numbers go up with more patients being tested, like I was.   In the future, hopefully this may be it, a (less intrusive than full node removal) needle biopsy of the sentinel lymph node.  The US apparently does not allow microbubbles to be used in this way, so I don't know if this test would be allowed, even if used as standard protocol here in the UK.

Pokemom1959

So, lumpectomy is set for 1/23/14.  I'm going to have the IORT during the surgery, so that should be the end of it except for the Tamoxifen.  I'm praying for an easy time and clear margins.  I'm a little nervous but have been able to put it to the back of my mind during the holidays. 

Beesie

Pokemon, I'm glad you have the date for surgery... I find it easier to wait when there is a specific date in front of me. 

Enjoy the holidays!  And remember that next year at this time, this will all be well behind you.