Innovative Localization Techniques for Nonpalpable Breast Lesions
Summary
Precise localisation of nonpalpable breast lesions is vital for successful breast-conserving surgery, ensuring complete tumour removal while preserving healthy tissue. Conventional wire-guided localisation (WGL) has largely been superseded by wireless and image-guided modalities. Radioactive and magnetic seed devices permit flexible scheduling and reduce patient discomfort. Radar- and radiofrequency-based reflectors transmit signals to handheld detectors, eliminating radiation exposure. Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) provides real-time visualisation of tumour margins, lowering rates of positive resection margins. Cutting-edge approaches include wirelessly powered light-emitting implants that change colour according to depth, offering direct optical guidance during lumpectomy. Personalised three-dimensional surgical guides, generated from supine MRI data, map tumour boundaries onto the breast surface to direct dye injection and incision placement. Together, these advances aim to reduce re-excision rates, streamline multidisciplinary workflows and enhance cosmetic and patient-reported outcomes on a global scale.
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Innovative Localization Techniques for Nonpalpable Breast Lesions publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in innovative localization techniques for nonpalpable breast lesions across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Wire-Guided Localisation (WGL): Placement of a percutaneous wire to mark a nonpalpable lesion prior to surgery.
Intraoperative Ultrasound (IOUS): Real-time ultrasound imaging during surgery to visualize tumour boundaries and guide excision.
Lumpectomy: Breast-conserving removal of a tumour and surrounding tissue, also known as wide local excision.
Surgical Margin Positivity: Presence of tumour cells at the edge of excised tissue, indicating incomplete resection.
3D-Printed Surgical Guide: A patient-specific, image-derived template that directs localisation and incision placement during breast surgery.
References
- Optimal localization strategies for non-palpable breast cancers –A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The Breast (2022).
- Wirelessly Powered Visible Light-Emitting Implant for Surgical Guidance during Lumpectomy. Sensors (2024).
- Customised 3D-Printed Surgical Guide for Breast-Conserving Surgery after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Its Clinical Application. Bioengineering (2023).
- Intraoperative ultrasound reduces the need for re-excision in breast-conserving surgery. World Journal of Surgical Oncology (2015).
- Reflector-Guided Localisation of Non-Palpable Breast Lesions: A Prospective Evaluation of the SAVI SCOUT® System. Cancers (2021).
- The Evolving Role of Radiofrequency Guided Localisation in Breast Surgery: A Systematic Review. Cancers (2021).
- Patient and clinician satisfaction and clinical outcomes of Magseed compared with wire-guided localisation for impalpable breast lesions. Breast Cancer (2020).
- Radioguided breast surgery for occult lesion localization – correlation between two methods. Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research (2008).
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