localization methods in lumpectomy?

Pepper44

I am deciding between 2 surgeons for my lumpectomy. One surgeon plans to use ultrasound during surgery to find the mass and the other would use either a radioactive seed or wire to localize. Does anyone know if there are advantages, disadvantages to the different methods? So far the surgeons seem to indicate just a preference for their approach but not that one is better then the other. Any experiences to share? Thanks!

reflect

Hi Pepper, I can share my experience with both seed and wire localizations. I had 4 different areas of concern (2 were known cancers), a total of 4 cm between furthest areas. I had this done at Dana Farber in a (successful) effort to preserve my breast. It was very time consuming and the docs had great patience and skill. I find it curious that one doctor is suggesting this detailed procedure while another is happy with an ultrasound, which is much less precise and also less expensive I should think. Third opinion?

JosieO

Pepper,

When I had multiple ultrasounds to follow up from my initial mammogram there were five areas that were biopsied. The second opinion surgeon who I ultimately chose studied everything, them ordered a wire localization for my lumpectomy. Like reflect, it took a long time to position, and ultimately there were areas where the cancer was not easily palpable, and areas not identified initially in the ultrasound as cancerous proved to have cancer as well. So I was extremely thankful that I had skilled doctors, because the end result might have been very different. My surgeon removed it all, left me with a beautiful cosmetic look (other than the scars my breast was smooth and round-no dents, divots, or dimpling). So I vote for localization vs just ultrasound. In my view, an experienced surgeon will use more technique vs less.

Best wishes to you going forward.