The introduction of Magtrace® lymphatic tracer for axillary sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer in a rural Scottish district general hospital: initial experience, perspectives, outcomes and learning curves

Kong, C. Y. , Williams, J., Hemadasa, N., Murphy, D. and Bews-Hair, M. (2024) The introduction of Magtrace® lymphatic tracer for axillary sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer in a rural Scottish district general hospital: initial experience, perspectives, outcomes and learning curves. Clinical Breast Cancer, (doi: 10.1016/j.clbc.2024.03.013) (In Press)

Abstract

Background: Magtrace® is a supraparamagnetic iron lymphatic tracer that has had increasing use in sentinel node biopsy (SNB) for breast cancer and has theoretical logistical benefits in centres where nanocolloid use may be associated with such issues. We describe our initial experience with the introduction of Magtrace® into our routine practice by dual localisation with nanocolloid, comparing performance and concordance. Methods: This was prospective study of the first patients undergoing axillary SNB using Magtrace® in a single centre. These patients had dual localisation with nanocolloid and Magtrace®. Subjective global assessments of Magtrace® and nanocolloid performance as well as objective signal strength and anatomical concordance were compared across multiple timepoints in the operative journey. Results: A total of 30 consecutive patients underwent SNB within the timeframe of this study. While there were no failed SNB, 8 issues were reported including 4 issues of perceived imperfect localisation on global assessment. No patient had a failed or abandoned SNB, and only one case had a potential challenge in subsequent management after histopathological examination of the retrieved nodes. The majority of these issues occurred in the first half of the study period. There was overall weak to moderate positive correlation between Magtrace® and nanocolloid signals of the retrieved sentinel nodes (ρ= 0.392,p=0.043). Conclusions: This study suggests that introducing Magtrace was feasible and safe in the context of a rural breast cancer service. A possible strategy to ameliorate the learning curve associated with these procedures is the routine dual localisation in the initial phases of performing Magtrace localisation. Microabstract: Magtrace® is a supraparamagnetic iron lymphatic tracer that has had increasing use in sentinel node biopsy (SNB) for breast cancer. We describe our initial experience with the introduction of Magtrace® into our routine practice by dual localisation with nanocolloid, comparing performance and concordance. We report this as a safe way of introducing its use and ameliorating the learning curve associated with this new technique.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Breast cancer, sentinel node biopsy, lymphatic tracer.
• Status: In Press
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Murphy, Dr Dermot and Kong, Dr Chia Yew

Creator Roles

Kong, C. Y.: Writing – review and editing, Writing – original draft, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization, Methodology, Project administration
Murphy, D.: Writing – review and editing, Supervision, Project administration, Methodology, Investigation, Data curation, Conceptualization

• Authors: Kong, C. Y., Williams, J., Hemadasa, N., Murphy, D., and Bews-Hair, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Clinical Breast Cancer
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1526-8209
• ISSN (Online): 1938-0666
• Published Online: 30 March 2024
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2024 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Clinical Breast Cancer 2024
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License