#2. Test for Metastatic Breast Cancer
Surgeons now have a faster way to assess whether breast cancer has
spread, thanks to the FDA's approval of the first molecular test to detect
metastatic breast cancer. During the patient's lumpectomy or mastectomy,
surgeons traditionally examine the lymph node closest to the breast — the
sentinel node — for signs of metastases. If the tissue is examined
immediately and tumor cells are discovered, additional lymph nodes are taken
out — but, usually, further and more extensive microscopic testing is
required to confirm that cancer has spread. Problem is the lab results take
up to two days to come back, which leaves women in limbo before possibly
facing a second surgery. But with the new test, called GeneSearch BLN Assay,
doctors can accurately test the sentinel node for metastases during the
initial surgery by measuring molecular markers of breast cancer that are abundant in cancerous breast tissue but normally scarce in lymph nodes. If the test shows the presence of cancer, the physician can remove affected lymph nodes immediately, sparing women the wait and possible follow-up surgery.