Choctaw Nation revolutionizes breast cancer surgery

Choctaw Nation
Kendra Sikes

DURANT – The  Choctaw Nation Health Care Center (CNHCC) is revolutionizing the way it fights breast cancer. Seeking out the newest technology, CNHCC is offering what is known as the Magseed® and Magtrace® as an innovative and less invasive option to remove breast lesions or cancer cells in the breast tissue and lymphatic system.

“The advantage of being able to do the Magseed and Magtrace here at Choctaw Nation is that we will be able to localize tumors that are not palpable, meaning you can’t feel them in the breast or other soft tissues,” said Dr. Amanda Chisum-Price, breast surgeon. “Having to place a localizing wire (to find the tumor) would cause the wire to protrude out of the body and have to be covered, with a risk of being dislodged, and also take up an entire day of the Radiology Department’s scheduling.”

These two innovative approaches save patients time and spares vital tissue. The CNHCC is the first in Oklahoma to offer the procedures. Tribal members with a Certified Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card are eligible to schedule an appointment with the Breast Care Clinic for screening, consultation, and procedures.

Magseed

The Magseed changes the entire patient experience. A tiny seed is implanted into the breast lesion to accurately mark the cancer site. The implant can be done up to 30 days before surgery, giving the patient more flexibility and the surgeon more control over the timing of the procedure.

During the surgery, the surgeon uses a specialized probe that detects the placement of the seed. This method allows the surgeon to determine the best and most direct path to the lesion, retaining more breast tissue and creating fewer complications for the patient. Previously, guide wires were inserted into the breast lesion, resulting in only those paths as an option.

“This makes the surgery drastically different than the old method,” Chisum-Price said. “We are taking hours in radiology and surgery and cutting it down significantly. The recovery time for the patients has been considerably shorter as well.”

“It was very nice,” said Princess Thompson, a patient from Greenville, Texas, of the procedure. “They were really thorough and helpful. My comfort level is very good. This procedure means everything to me. I won’t have to worry about the tumor growing, turning into something else. I’m happy to get it taken out.”

Magtrace

For cancer cells that have invaded the lymphatic system, a Magtrace lymphatic tracer is injected and seeks out the sentinel nodes. The non-radioactive tracer directs the surgeon to the first draining lymph nodes most likely to contain cancer to determine if it has spread. “This new process saves our patients from unnecessary and more invasive surgery,” says Dr. Chisum-Price. “We also can now perform these here at Choctaw Nation instead of sending our patients to other facilities farther away from their homes.”

Although at a reduced rate, breast cancer affects men as well. The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer for men is about 1 in 833. James Bench was the first male patient to undergo the new procedure at CNHCC.

“The pain isn’t bad. I can tell I’ve been worked on,” said James Bench of getting the seed implanted. “As long as it works, we’ll handle it.”

“We are so excited and have been waiting for five years for a way to do this,” Chisum-Price said. “Choctaw Nation patients now have a state-of-the-art way to remove problematic cancer with less scarring and recovery time.”

To speak to the Choctaw Nation Breast Care Clinic, call 800-349-7026.