FIRST PERSON | Researchers at Johns Hopkins University published a study in the Nov. 1, 2012, edition of The Journal of Biomedical Optics, which examined collagen one fibers (Col1) found in breast cancer tumors. They used special laser microscope technology called second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy to examine Col1 fibers. As a result of this study, doctors can now tell whether breast cancer has metastasized. The study concluded using SHG microscopy allows doctors to determine if breast cancer is metastatic without having to compromise the lymph system.
The study
Collagen 1 fiber density increases in lymph node positive breast cancers: pilot study, by Samata M. Kakkad, et al, of Johns Hopkins University, describes how the Col1 fibers in lymph node-positive breast cancers differ greatly in density from lymph node-negative breast cancers. If cancer cells are detected in the lymph nodes, it is considered metastatic. Metastatic disease is an advanced form of cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Impact on breast cancer patients
The study shows that denser Col1 fibers indicate the cancer has metastasized. For breast cancer patients, like me, this is a huge discovery. Being able to identify metastatic disease without having to undergo painful lymph node procedures is a major improvement in patient care. It will greatly add to the quality of life after a cancer diagnosis.
Prior to breast surgery, many physicians order sentinel node mapping for their patients. This is a painful procedure that involves injecting radioactive dye into the nipple or near the tumor area. Once the dye is spread throughout the breast, the surgeon uses a Geiger counter to locate the lymph nodes used by the tumor. SHG technology will remove the need for sentinel node mapping if the Col1 fibers show the cancer has not metastasized.
During a mastectomy or lumpectomy, women with breast cancer have three or more lymph nodes removed for examination. The removal of the lymph nodes leaves women at a high risk for a serious medical condition called lymphedema. I had three lymph nodes removed during my mastectomy. So far, I’ve only had to deal with minor lymphedema symptoms, like minor swelling and stiffness. Examination of Col1 fibers would have eliminated the need for me to go through this.
Eliminating the need for painful procedures
All breast tumors are examined prior to a lumpectomy or mastectomy through biopsy. This is how the doctors arrive at the initial cancer diagnosis, but they cannot tell from the biopsy sample if the cancer has spread to other areas.
Examining the tissue sample through laser microscope technology, like SHG microscopy, at the time of biopsy, eliminates the need for the painful sentinel node mapping and removal of lymph nodes in early-stage breast cancers. It also removes the need for expensive procedures like bone scans and CT scans if the tissue sample shows that the cancer is not metastatic. Access to new technology like this greatly improves treatment for breast cancer.
Lynda Altman was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2011. She writes a series for Yahoo! Shine called “My Battle With Breast Cancer.”
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Laser Microscope Technology Detects Metastatic Breast Cancer Without Damaging Lymph Nodes
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Laser Microscope Technology Detects Metastatic Breast Cancer Without Damaging Lymph Nodes
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Laser Microscope Technology Detects Metastatic Breast Cancer Without Damaging Lymph Nodes
