Please help me understand the lumpectomy surgery

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NWMom
NWMom Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I read a few posts from this site that mentioned of using "wire insertion" as a way to locate the tumor before doctor performs lumpectomy.  When I met with my BS, she did not mention this technique at all.  They put a "clip" in my breast during biopsy. BS said she will use ultrasound to locate the clip, then take the tissue out around it. It seems to me like there is a bit of guessing in there because she said she will need to look under microscope to make sure the clip is in the tissue that is removed. Then after that, she will put 4 more clips in my breast to locate where the tissue is removed. Does anyone know why there are (at least) 2 different ways to do lumpectomy??  Is there a pro/cons for each method? Would it be okay to have 4 clips left in your breasts?? Thanks so much in advance.

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  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited August 2011

    NWMom-I had a clip put in my breast when I had my biopsy.I was told it was there as a marker for future mammograms if my biopsy turned out to be benign, to show that the area had already been checked out.

    I also had a wire insertion for my lumpectomy. My lump was located with ultrasound and the wire was inserted. My clip was removed when my lump was removed. As far as I know, I don't have any sort of markers left in me, but I do know that the clip was microscopically small, so I don't think it would have been a problem had it been left in.

    Mary 

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  • marlegal
    marlegal Member Posts: 2,264
    edited August 2011

    Wow, this is weird - my answer was going to be almost identical to Mary's, and my name is Mary!!

    I had a needle biopsy with the wire inserted which dx'd my original bc. Two yrs later, afer all my tx, I had a bx on the area where rads had left a hardened area and they put markers in so in future mammos etc. it would be noted.  You do need to ask about those clips being left in, for sure, and why they feel it's necessary.

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited August 2011

    My experience was similar to Mary's.  But I think I had MRI guided stereotactic wire placement.  It wasn't terrible but I was uncomfortable with the wires hanging out of my breast for HOURS after the placement.  My surgeon had an emergency with the patient before me and my surgery was delayed for several hours.

    I have no clips remaining.  I had a mammo 2 months ago and there were none on that mammo.

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  • JanetM
    JanetM Member Posts: 336
    edited August 2011

    I had wire localization via mammography prior to my lumpectomy.  They did that to locate the 2 clips that were placed when I had the stereotatic core biopsy.  It was a very uncomfortable procedure that I hope to avoid having to have again.  Told my BS that there had to be a better way.  The lumpectomy was easy.

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  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 493
    edited August 2011

    I had the same as JanetM, and for me, the stereotactic biopsy was worse than the lumpectomy. I had a clip put in that was cut out in the lumpectomy.



    I believe there are many lumpectomy techniques. Find q surgeon you feel will use the best technique for you, and dont be afraid to shop around for surgeons! I saw three diffent PSs before I made my decision. Then take a deep breath! No matter the outcome, it WILL be OK! Good luck?

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  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 493
    edited August 2011

    Sorry, that ? Was supposed to be a !. It is so hard to type on this iPad!

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  • cycle-path
    cycle-path Member Posts: 1,502
    edited August 2011

    To answer your question about clips being left in, yes, it's ok. Apparently they're about the size of the head of a pin.

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