We have previously covered Endomagnetics‘ intriguing technology that offers an alternative to radioisotope guided sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer staging. In brief, the current standard is to use injectable technetium (often in addition to a visual dye) to trace the lymph drainage of the breast. By only biopsying the first 1-2 lymph nodes that drain the breast, called the “sentinel nodes,” surgeons can avoid performing a rather morbid and more risky complete axillary lymph node dissection.
Endomagnetics provides an alternative to the radio-isotope guided technique in that they offer an injectable magnetic material, their Sienna+ Tracer, which just received CE approval. By using their proprietary detector, the SentiMag (CE approved in December 2010), surgeons should be able to perform a sentinel lymph node biopsy using the new technology. Since the entire system is now available for the first time we will look forward to more feedback about it.
Press release: Endomagnetics Achieves CE Approval for Sienna+™ Tracer
Flashback: Medgadget Meets CEO of EndoMagnetics, a Cancer Staging Company