A NEW technique that may spare women with early breast cancer from extensive surgery is being introduced in Gloucestershire.

The Cheltenham based Cobalt Appeal Fund is to spend £80,000 on the equipment needed to carry out special biopsies.

The procedure, known as sentinel node biopsy, allows surgeons to discover whether the cancer has spread to the lymphatic system by removing between just 1 and 3 'sentinel' lymph nodes from the armpit on the affected side.

Recent trials have shown that if the cancer has not spread to the sentinel nodes - the first in the chain - it is unlikely to have reached the other nodes in the group, which can number 20 or more.

Currently in the UK, most women undergoing surgery have nodes in the armpit removed along with the tumour. These nodes are then examined for cancer cells, allowing doctors to assess how far the disease has travelled.

Complications may arise from removing nodes in the armpit - including chronic pain, shoulder stiffness, infection and arm swelling (lymphoedema).

In future, if the sentinel node biopsy is clear, the patient will require no further surgery to the armpit - drastically reducing the risk of side effects. To carry out sentinel node biopsy, the operating team may use a radioactive tracer and blue dye injected around the nipple to identify the sentinel node or nodes.

The Cobalt Appeal Fund is buying the handheld gamma probes needed by surgeons in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Worcester to scan the breast and identify the 'radioactive' nodes. They are then removed through a small incision. If tests show they are cancerous, more surgery is required to remove the rest of the nodes. If they are clear, the patient is spared a larger operation.

The technique of sentinel node biopsy using the blue dye has been used in Cheltenham for five years - surgeons Mr Bristol and Mr Chan have performed over 800 cases between them. Using the radioactive tracer in addition to the blue dye increases the accuracy and success of the procedure.

Chairman Dick Greenslade said: "Until now, the technique using a radioactive tracer and gamma probe has only been available in larger teaching hospitals in the UK. We are very pleased to be able to help fund this new procedure."

Gloucestershire breast cancer patient Claire McGine underwent a sentinel node biopsy using the blue dye and radioactive tracer technique at the NHS specialist cancer hospital The Royal Marsden, London when she was diagnosed in 2003.

Claire, of Cirencester said "Four of my nodes were removed at the same time as the tumour - I was in hospital for less than 24 hours and quickly regained full use of my arm. Fortunately for me, my nodes were clear of cancer and I was saved from the larger operation.

"Knowing that this new technique is available locally will be a tremendous boost to patients who often face months of treatment as well as invasive surgery and the shock of diagnosis."

Dr Iain Lyburn, clinical director of the Gloucester Breast Screening Service said: "We are very grateful to the Cobalt Appeal Fund - and everyone who supports the charity - for financing this major step forward in treating patients with breast cancer.

Consultant surgeon Mr Charlie Chan said: "Recent trials have shown that sentinel node biopsy is a very reliable way of identifying the nodes most likely to be affected by cancer. The benefits of this technique for those women not requiring further surgery are immense."

Cllr John Birch supported the fund-raising project for the gamma probes following the experiences of his late wife Josephine, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000.

He said: "Josephine's operation involved the removal of all her lymph nodes in the armpit, which resulted in serious pain, discomfort and, finally, lymphoedema. This is a very distressing complaint, particularly for women, as it can result in significant swelling of the arm, hand and fingers.

"We recently held a village celebration and donated £1,500 from the money raised at this event to help to purchase the gamma probes, which I hope will be of benefit to many women faced with a breast cancer diagnosis."