New Way to Locate and Remove Patient Tumors

MOUNT KISCO – Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) is the first hospital in New York State to use a non-radioactive guidance system to locate and remove tumors in patients with invasive breast cancer. The Magtrace® and Sentimag® Magnetic Localization System uses magnetic detection during sentinel lymph node biopsy procedures to identify specific lymph nodes, known as sentinel lymph nodes, for surgical removal.

According to Ranjana Chaterji, MS, DO, a breast surgeon at Northern Westchester Hospital’s Breast Care Center, who is now using the new technology, sentinel lymph nodes are the first place cancer cells are likely to spread from a primary tumor. A sentinel lymph node biopsy identifies, removes and examines lymph nodes to determine the presence or absence of cancer cells.

“This technology is an important advancement that allows us to eliminate unnecessary surgery and tailor treatments for patients,” says Dr. Chaterji. “The technology is transformational because it helps us accurately pinpoint specific nodes to preserve healthy tissue. The dye remains in the lymph nodes for up to 30 days, giving us ample time to get back the pathology. If we need to go back in, we know exactly which lymph node to remove.”

The Sentimag System uses magnetic materials to guide sentinel lymph node biopsies. The magnetic tracer drug is injected into breast tissue, where it becomes physically trapped inside lymph nodes. Using the system’s hand-held wand and base unit display, surgeons follow signals that detect small amounts of Magtrace® to locate the sentinel lymph nodes, which can be removed through a small incision and checked by a pathologist for the presence of cancer cells.

For more information about the Breast Care Center at NWH, visit https://nwhbreastcarecenter.org/about-us. For more information about Dr. Chaterji, visit https://nwhbreastcarecenter.org/ranjana-chaterji-md

About Northern Westchester Hospital
Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), a member of Northwell Health, provides quality, patient-centered care that is close to home through a unique combination of medical expertise, leading-edge technology, and a commitment to humanity. Over 650 highly-skilled physicians, state-of-the-art technology and professional staff of caregivers are all in place to ensure that you and your family receive treatment in a caring, respectful and nurturing environment. NWH has established extensive internal quality measurements that surpass the standards defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA) National Hospital Quality Measures. Our high-quality standards help to ensure that the treatment you receive at NWH is among the best in the nation. For more information, please visit www.nwhc.net and connect with us on Facebook.

About Northwell Health
Northwell Health is New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, nearly 800 outpatient facilities and more than 14,200 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 72,000 employees – 17,000-plus nurses and 4,500 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners – are working to change health care for the better. We’re making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. We’re training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.