Lymphazurin

Lymphazurin (also known as Isosulfan Blue) is a blue dye used in medical procedures to map lymphatic vessels and identify sentinel lymph nodes. It is primarily used in the detection of breast cancer and melanoma.

History

Lymphazurin was first introduced in the 1980s as a tool for lymphatic mapping. It was initially used in the field of dermatology for the detection of melanoma, but its use quickly expanded to other areas of medicine, particularly oncology.

Usage

In a procedure, Lymphazurin is injected into the tissue surrounding a tumor. The dye travels through the lymphatic vessels and accumulates in the sentinel lymph nodes, which are the first nodes to which cancer is likely to spread. This allows surgeons to identify and remove these nodes for further examination and to determine the extent of the cancer's spread.

Effectiveness

Studies have shown that Lymphazurin is effective in identifying sentinel lymph nodes in the majority of cases. However, it is not 100% accurate and there is a risk of false negatives, where the dye fails to identify a node that is affected by cancer.

Side Effects

While generally safe, Lymphazurin can cause side effects in some patients. These can include allergic reactions, skin discoloration, and in rare cases, serious complications such as anaphylaxis.

Alternatives

Alternatives to Lymphazurin include other dyes such as Methylene blue and Indocyanine green, as well as radioactive tracers. The choice of which to use often depends on the specific circumstances of the patient and the preferences of the surgeon.

See Also

• Sentinel lymph node
• Breast cancer
• Melanoma
• Lymphatic system