A thought by physicians at the Uni...

A thought by physicians at the University of southern Florida, Tampa, suggests than an accurate, quick, and sate recently made known way of taking biopsies from breast lesions has been discovered, according to an Oct 13 1999 pres release from the American community of Surgeons. The study involved the use of radioactive se breast localization in 25 women

In the breast biopsy thought one seed--which was obtained from the lake of seeds set aside for brachytherapy of a cancerous prostate gland--was injected into each patient's lesions. Already subdued in radiation dosage, the biopsy se was allowed to decay until it was one-third or one-half of its original duration The seed then was inserted into a biopsy needle and injected into each suspicious mass.

The application of mind indicated that radioactive seed localization is exceptionally precise. Surgeon were able to find the se in each lesion tested and to banish the entire lesion in each case, sparing normal breast tissue. According to the same researcher, the technique enables surgeon to use the gamma probe--a excessively small and utilitarian tool--rather than ultrasound to find a liver lesion. If a lesion is embedded in the wall of the colon that part of the colon can be remov laparoscopically using a laparoscopic radiographic probe.

in succession average, medical students removed les overall breast tissue (ie, 193 [cmsup3]) than they typically do with conventional needle localization biopsies (ie, 403 [cmsup3]) In addition, biopsies performed with radioactive germs took an average of 46 minutes, and radiation frontage to the patient and surgical team members was minimal.

Moreover, radioactive se localization was well tolerated at patients. As the the radiographic se is contained completely within breast tissue, patients experience no discomfort.

According to the release, the conduct may be useful for performing biopsies forward lesions in other parts of the material part as well. The seeds may simplify liver biopsies and colon biopsies.

Radioactive se localization may test to be less expensive than needle localization if it significantly contracts surgical time. The technique also may save biopsy preciousnesss by eliminating the need for an x-ray to validate that the entire lesion has been remov surgically. Rather than having to wait for a radiologist to examine an x-ray of the biopsy sample, surgeon may be able to use the gamma probe to verify that the radioactive se is in the specimen, according to the release.

Low-Dose Radioactive first principles Improve Localization of Biopsy Lesions (pres release, San Francisco: American community of Surgeons, Oct 13, 1999) 1-5

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