A major therapeutic breakthrough has just been achieved in the fight against breast cancer in Senegal. The Breast Unit at the Ouakam Military Hospital (HMO) has launched the immunofluorescence sentinel lymph node biopsy technique. This cutting-edge method avoids the need for major surgical interventions and significantly improves the quality of life for patients.

This marks a turning point for breast surgery in the country. By introducing immunofluorescence, the HMO (Hospices Médicales) is reducing invasive procedures in the treatment of breast cancers diagnosed at stages T1 and T2. According to Colonel Serigne Modou Kane Guèye, a gynecologist and breast specialist at the HMO, this technique avoids the need for routine lymph node dissection, which is often responsible for debilitating side effects.

The method involves identifying the first lymph node (the "sentinel") that drains the tumor to check if it is affected by cancer cells. "It is this first node that gives us the information. If it is not invaded, it is no longer necessary to remove all the lymph nodes, which avoids exposing the patient to hemorrhagic or nerve complications, or lymphedema, commonly known as 'swollen arm' syndrome," explains the specialist.

The procedure involves injecting two milliliters of indocyanine green around the areola of the breast. Within minutes, this fluorescent dye migrates to the armpit. Using a specialized camera, the surgeon visualizes the lymph node in real time, making the biopsy extremely precise and rapid.

The clinical benefits are undeniable. "This technique avoids nearly 70% of unnecessary lymph node dissections," emphasizes Colonel Guèye. Patients thus benefit from simplified postoperative care: less pain, more aesthetically pleasing scarring, and faster recovery.

The diagnosis is also almost immediate thanks to intraoperative histopathology. This emergency microscopic examination provides results in 10 to 30 minutes, allowing the surgeon to adapt the treatment protocol while the patient is still in the operating room.

Despite this success, a major challenge remains: the supply of indocyanine green. This essential product is not yet widely available in Senegal. "The continuation of this technique will depend on a regular supply of this product," warns the medical colonel.

The introduction of this technology at the HMO nevertheless marks a fundamental step towards precision medicine in Senegal, placing patient safety and comfort at the heart of the healing process.