Patient anxiety on the use of one step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) during breast cancer surgery

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Athwal, Ruvinder Kaur^* | Clarke, Dayalan | Harries, Simon | Jones, Lucie

Affiliations: Department of Breast Surgery, Warwick Hospital, Lakin Road, Warwick, West Midlands, UK

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Ruvinder Kaur Athwal, Department of Breast Surgery, Warwick Hospital, Lakin Road, Warwick, West Midlands, UK. Tel.: +44 1215725739; E-mail: ruvinderathwal@hotmail.com

Abstract: INTRODUCTION:Assessment of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is used to stage the axilla in patients with breast cancer. There are a variety of methods to assess metastatic disease within the SLN. One-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) has a high sensitivity for detecting metastatic disease within the SLN and avoids the use of staged axillary surgery. However there remains a paucity of data within the literature on the psychological effects upon patients with the use of OSNA. METHODS:All patients undergoing breast surgery (breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy) and assessment of the SLNB with OSNA from December 2011 to June 2012 were included in the study. A questionnaire was sent to patient within four weeks of surgery to assess their understanding and satisfaction with the OSNA procedure. RESULTS:60 patients responded to the questionnaire (83% response rate). All patients were female with a mean age of 63 years (range 38–71 years). 19 patients had positive SLNB as assessed by OSNA and all had ALND. 15 patients expressed pre-operative anxiety about having OSNA although 97% stated that they would be happy to undergo the same procedure again. CONCLUSION:Our study has identified the anxiety points that patients experience with OSNA based management and this will allow improved direct emotional support and provision of information.

Keywords: Breast cancer, sentinel lymph node biopsy, anexity

DOI: 10.3233/BD-150208

Journal: Breast Disease, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 23-26, 2016