Wire Guided Lumpectomy
Comments
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I had my first mammogram this past February. I am 49 years old with a history of cancer since I was 29. I have had several malignant tumors in my right neck & shoulder area. The mammo showed microcalcifications throughout my L breast. My PCP recommended a stereotactic biopsy, which I had done in April. The pathologist reading the results felt almost 100% certain that I had DCIS, but wanted additional samples to confirm. I am scheduled for a wire-guided biopsy/lumpectomy on June 12th. The procedure was explained to me by the surgeon. I have also researched this procedure on the web. I have to say that I am petrified of having a wire inserted in the radiology dept. then moving on to the operating room. I was told that I would receive a 'local' for the wire insertion. I have also spoken to two women that have had this procedure done and said that the wire insertion is extremely painful. One even said "don't look when they put the wire in".
I would really appreciate hearing back from other women that have had this procedure.
Many thanks--
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rafeala--my wire localization was no worse than the stereotactic core biopsy; a lot of pressure, but no real pain as I was numbed up very well for both of them. The hardest part for me was having to stay still in one position for so long with my head turned to one side (neck problems). I honestly have to say it wasn't too bad. They covered the wire up with gauze (I peeked anyway!) and I went to the OR about a half hour later. Good luck to you.
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I too had this procedure a couple of weeks ago.......no pain involved at all......just a little bit of pressure......the wire is very bendy and they covered it with gauze and taped it down.....even went back to sit in the day surgey dept. between the procedure and my trip down the OR........piece of cake......don't worry about this procedure.....Good luck.....
Jax
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I was surprised by the wire. I knew I would go to radiology first but no one mentioned the wire, so I'm just innocently watching what's going on around me. They gave me some pre surg. drugs first, so I was loopy. They wheelchaired me down to radiology. I stood up for another mammogram, sat back in the chair and she came at me with this double hypodermic thing, a piggy-back injection. Still watching, I said, what is that? She said, don't look, so I didn't. It didn't hurt really, just a pinch and some pressure. Not nearly as bad as the stereotactic biopsy. THEN I looked, and there was a wire about 5 inches long sticking out of my breast. The tech said, that's it, she gave it a twist, it coiled up and was taped down. I didn't feel it at all.
The only part that freaked me out was that they took the biopsy from under my breast, so I thought that's where the DCIS was, this wire was on the top side and I was confused. Figured out soon enough that it was top side. Dont let the wire insertion part get to you, it's not so bad.
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Hello, I had this procedure about five years ago. It actually sounds a lot worse than it is. They give you a shot of lidocaine and insert a very fine wire. It was less painful than a regular mammogram. They use the wire to locate the area of concern during surgery. Hang in there! It's not bad at all.
Catherine
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I had this done also, there was no pain because like you will be, I had a "local" for it, the thought of it was way worse than the procedure. If you are nervous you can ask for a valium.
Hang in there it will be SO quick and painless. -
hi..I just came back from pre op visit ..having a lumpectomy June 17th on a lump that is very palpable so just curious as to why they are doing a wire guided lumpectomy? I meant to ask of course but left thinking...why didnt I ask? ..hmmm thanks for ANY input
Beth -
Boy, am I glad I found this thread! I'm having a neede-loc just before my lumpectomy on June 16th. I have aready been told that they will numb the area well, and I know I will be given an IV medication to take the edge off....I have to admit that I LIKE that woozy feeling....The more "woozy" the better!
It's good to hear from you ladies who have experienced this procedure and found it so easy.... The stereotactic biopsy was a breeze, except for the neck thing, so I'm not really nervous about this at all...Especially after reading of others' experiences.
Sandy from Cincinnati
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I had a wire guided excision biopsy on 5/13. Take the valium they offer ahead of time; if they dont offer, ask. It takes the edge off and helps with nerves. It did hurt for a brief period but not a big deal. I had lidocain - I think that is what hurt! I must say that I haven't rebounded that easily from the biospy. I can move arms and all that, but cannot run - any giggling and vibrations still hurt.
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I had 2 wire localizations w/out any problems other than the fact the radiologist couldn't get one of the needles out after injecting the dye, had to use 'pliers', I have extremely dense breast. I took my i-pod and just chilled out, didn't feel any discomfort, just pressure. No need to look, didn't care.
Best wishes,
Jeanne -
I have had three wire-guided biopsies -- I think more often referred to as a "needle localization". It needs to be done prior to an incisional biopsy or lumpectomy when the lesion is not visible or palpable. The wire needs to be inserted to guide the surgeon as to where to cut.
It's not much more of a procedure than any core needle biopsy. I never look at any of the "instruments" or procedures as they're being done. No need for that. During the first "needle loc" (as professionals call it), the nurse explained what was happening. I did not need to hear that. But I survived all three, so it is very doable. After three times, I know the drill. I hope I never experience it again because of the reason for it being done. But the procedure itself . . . no real biggie.
Mary D.
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Hi,
I also had the MRI needle guided bx. They give you a local anesthetic and you just feel a tiny pinch. The area is then covered by a bandage and you are sent to the OR. Make sure you get sedation for the biopsy which I assume most everyone gives.
The anticipation was much worse than the actual procedure.
Oh Yeah, the Xanax helped too!
Good luck.
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I had this procedure done in February and found it do be uneventful. I was warned that it would be painful, but for me it was not. Good luck, Mary
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The insertion of the needle is not the biopsy. It only indicates to the surgeon where to cut for the incisional or excisional biopsy (lumpectomy).
Mary D.
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...Im glad to see someone brought there ipod I was thinking of doing just that for my procedure too...still not clear on why my surgeon would want to use the wire when my lump is very palpable? any ideas? thanks
Beth.... -
Hello...
Just chiming in here....I have to concur with the majority here that said it really isn't that bad. I had this done too, and I was given lidocaine, and didn't feel much at all. I did feel some pain, but it was quick and uneventful, that I don't even remember it! I have to agree that having a mammogram was MORE painful!
Also, after it was done, they taped a STYROFOAM CUP to protect the wire that was hanging out while I waited (another 4 hours!) for my lumpectomy. (I was the last surgery of the day, had to be there early for wire, but wasn't scheduled til 2pm for the lumpectomy!). So sitting there all that time with a styrofoam cup sticking out was fun! I looked like some sort of alien with 3 boobs!
I hope yours is as uneventful as most girls here!
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Beth, we can only guess, not being medical folk, but while the lump may be palpable, you may have multiple lumps and they want the right one. Plus, from my experience during my core needle biopsy, it seems breast tissue moves very easily. It was a painstakingly slow process chasing the lumps around. You know your boob completely changes shape when you lay down, so that lump moves, and then they've got to cut you and it's probably not as easy as we think to palpate once they've cut you open.
Of course, while I say all that, I had a lump on my other side that they biopsied at the same time that they did not put a wire in. It was a much more surface lump, near the nipple. Not deep in the boob.
Good luck to you and Rafaela on the surgery.
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First of all, I have to say 'WOW and THANK YOU' to everyone for all of your wonderful responses since my first posting yesterday. I feel somewhat better after reading your e-mails.
My procedure is scheduled for June 12th. I was told by the BS that they would give me a local in radiology before inserting the wire. When I asked her if that was it, she said that the OR anesthesiologist won't allow anything other than the local in radiology. The BS told me I would have an IV inserted for the 'happy juice' when I get to the OR after the wire insertion. When I had the stereotactic done, I was in considerable discomfort once the lidocaine wore off. I have to say that I have a very low threshold for pain. I should also mention that I'm fairly small in size - 34B. There's not a lot there.
I also meant to ask how everyone felt the day after. Should I plan on taking the day off from work?
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Hi Beth,
When I first met with the BS before the stereotactic, she showed me all the microcalcifications throughout my L breast on my mammogram. She explained the wire-guided biopsy as being pretty much the same as a wire-guided lumpectomy.
Rafaela
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Rafaela, I have had 2 wire guided biopsies/lumpectomies since 2005. I was given the local anestesia in radiology prior to the insertion of the wire, then the wire looped and taped to the breast covered with gauze. I put my blouse back on then taken to the same-day surgery. The first time I was taken straight to the same-day surgery preop area and preped for surgery with the iv and loopy juice. The second time, when I was taken to the same-day surgery, they were covered up with patients and had to wait in the waiting room for 2 hours before they had a bed ready. by that time the annest was wearing off and I was ready for the loopy juice, they had to rush me through the pre-op because the surgeon was ready for me but I was not ready for him.
My surgeries were done on Friday and I rested all that evening and was able to work around the house some the next day but still took it easy. You may want to take the next day off just to give the area time to heal without straining it. Ice packs will be your best friend as well as the pain meds. Also, wearing a front opening sports bra 24-7 for at least a week will help with the swelling and discomfort.
Sheila
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Layne, there was probably something to relax you in the IV . . . starting to get you ready for surgery.
Mary D.
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Okay, they were nicer to ya'll than me. The day I went in for my lumpectomy, they had me change, took me down to mammography and did the mammogram, then stuck the needle in and reviewed it. The needle wasn't long enough so they had to do it AGAIN. No lidocaine, nothing for pain .. it hurt, sorry girls but it did. I darn near blacked out, and I have an unusually high pain threshold. On top of that, I had to walk to surgery, I'm not kidding. The escort comes down and says can you walk, and I'm like, yeah. So we did, down 3 hallways and into the pre-op area. I'm still dazed over it.
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That sounds brutal. I don't specifically remember, but I would think I've always had at least lidocaine prior to a needle loc or any core needle biopsy. (And because the needle loc is before a surgery, I'm thinking I had something in the IV line already?) The worst of a needle loc for me is usually having my neck twisted in some weird way around the mammo machine. That's a pain in the . . . . And then it's a "ride" to the OR or a room to wait for the OR.
Mary D.
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Mary D....i'm hoping for a similar experience on the sixteenth...when I am schedueld for my lumpetcomy....and neede loc...I can't wait for that day! Not looking forward to the actua eperience, but looking forward to DOING something....
Sandy from Cincinnati
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Sandy, almost anything is better than nothing / waiting (and waiting and waiting). All my various "procedures" were not bad. The worst was the nurse telling me what was going on during my first needle loc. I'm not a person who wants to know everything. I did not need to hear that then.
Mary D.
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Mary D....Yep...The waiting and more waiting is the worst for me...i just want to get on with things.....Only nine days 'till my surgery....
Sandy from Cincinnati
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Hi Rafaela, I had the lumpectomy/wire localization done on a Friday and was back at work by Monday. It wasn't bad at all. Good luck!
Catherine
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Thanks, Catherine for the report on your surgery....Mine is on a Monday, and since Tuesday is my normal day off (i work M-W-F most weeks), may be back on Wednesday...Depends on how i feel....My boss is completely understanding, so I can play things by ear...
Sandy from Cincinnati
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Rafeala - I had two wire localizations, March 2007 and May 2007. They truly were not bad and I sailed through them just fine. I think what really gets to us is just the thought of the actual mechanics of what is being done. The radiologists who worked with me explained everything as they were doing it. I kept waiting for the "shoe to drop" but then all of the sudden was told that the procedure was completed and I was on my way to the O.R. My experience was not bad at all and I had to admit that my fears were much worse than the overall procedure. The next step, lumpectomy wasn't bad either. I went to my father-in-law's 80th birthday party the next day and just had to hold back a little on all of the welcome hugs I gave and got!! I just had my first follow up mammogram and visit with the surgeon. All is well and they told me to get out there and enjoy my summer. My DCIS was found in March 2007. It was very small and very early. After the lumpectomy I finished 6 weeks of radiation on August 1, 2007. That wasn't bad either, just made me a little tired in the afternoons and gave me a great excuse for a little happy nap. I will think of you this week and send warm thoughts your way.
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Rafaela....i am scheduled for a wire-guided lumpectomy for Monday June 16th....I am not expecting the wire insertion to be any worse than te stereotactic biopsy was, because the area involved will be numbed....and I will have an IV running with the "gppd suff" in it!
Any doctor who does thie procedure without a local is nuts....So....Tell them you definitely want to be comortable!
Sandy from Cincinnati
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