Breast wire localisation and marker placement
What are breast wire localisation and marker placement?
Breast wire localisation: When a lesion is not easily felt and needs to be surgically removed, the surgeon needs guidance to the appropriate area of the breast tissue. A thin hook-wire wire is placed in the breast with its tip at the site of the suspicious lesion. This will be removed during the surgical procedure.
Marker placement: Patients requiring neoadjuvant chemotherapy should undergo a marker placement procedure prior to starting chemotherapy. The placement of a radiopaque marker has been proven safe and helpful for tumour localisation. Chemotherapy often elicits a reduction in the tumour size, and the placement of a radiopaque marker allows the surgeon to accurately locate and excise any remaining cancerous tissue.
What happens before the procedure?
The procedure will be thoroughly explained to you, and if you have any questions, you may ask your referring physician, radiologist, or mammographer. You will be asked to sign an informed consent to indicate that you understand the procedure and possible complications.
Breast wire localisation: You will be admitted to the hospital. The wire localisation will be done shortly before you proceed to the theatre. Please ensure that all your previous imaging is available on the day of the procedure.
Marker placement: This procedure can be done as an outpatient procedure. All prior imaging should be available before the procedure.
What to expect during the procedure:
Wire localisation and marker placement procedures are performed either under ultrasound or mammographic guidance and a local anaesthetic to numb the area.
A small incision is made, and the wire or marker is inserted.
Wire localisation procedure: The wire is secured to the patient’s skin, and the localisation site is sealed with a plaster.
You will be escorted to the ward and transferred to the theatre shortly after.
Marker placement procedure: The site will be cleaned and covered with a dressing. You will be discharged from the department when all imaging is completed and you feel comfortable leaving. You will receive a biopsy aftercare form.