IAEA Project Supports Safer Cancer Surgeries for Women

Vulvar and cervical cancers affect thousands of women each year, particularly in low and middle-income countries. In 2022, the World Health Organization estimated that about 94% of the deaths caused by cervical cancer occurred in low and middle-income countries, while overall, the highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are in sub-Saharan Africa, Central America and South-East Asia.

One of the greatest challenges for doctors is knowing whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. If so, patients face a higher risk of the cancer coming back and lower survival rates.

Usually, during an operation, doctors remove several lymph nodes to check if the cancer has spread. This extensive surgery can lead to severe side effects such as infections, nerve damage or chronic swelling known as lymphoedema.

However, a less invasive technique called sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is providing hope. An IAEA-supported project is helping to harmonize the SNB technique, which enables doctors to find and remove only the first lymph node where cancer is likely to have spread (known as the sentinel node), thereby allowing patients to avoid unnecessary surgery.

Studies show that SNB leads to fewer complications after surgery, while still accurately detecting cancer.

"Sentinel node biopsy is a game-changer in cancer surgery. It minimizes harm while still providing the information needed to guide treatment," said Diana Paez, Head of the Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section at the IAEA.