Readily available, rapid diagnostic techniques could eliminate some surgeries

Simple and quick diagnostic techniques during breast cancer surgery can spare most women from a second surgery to remove affected lymph nodes. According to Richard Bold, results of a lymph node biopsy – the current standard for identifying metastatic disease – can take up to two weeks and lead to a second surgery if results are positive. However, two procedures known as touch prep and frozen section analyses can take place during the initial surgery and detect in the majority of cases whether or not lymph nodes should be removed at the same time.