What is breast localization?
Who should have breast localization?
When should you have breast localization?
How do you prepare for breast localization?
What happens during the procedure?
What happens after the procedure?
What are the benefits of breast localization?
What are the risks of breast localization?
Where can I go for breast localization services?

What is breast localization?
Often performed immediately before biopsy surgery, this procedure uses mammography or ultrasound to locate an abnormality in the breast, which is too small to otherwise be felt. A guide wire is then inserted into the area to assist the surgeon in finding the abnormality during the biopsy.

Who should have breast localization?
A patient whose doctor has discovered an abnormality that can only be located through mammogram or ultrasound.

When should you have breast localization?
As recommended by your surgeon.

How do you prepare for breast localization?
As with any mammogram, do not use deodorant, powder, creams or ointment on your breasts or underarms on the day of your procedure. If you are going immediately into surgery after the breast localization, do not eat anything for at least eight hours prior to your appointment. Your doctor may also recommend that you discontinue taking insulin, aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs or other medicines that affect blood clotting.

What happens during the procedure?
Before the breast localization procedure, X-rays will be taken of your breast. You will be seated in front of the mammography equipment as your breast is compressed between two plates. The area is cleaned with a sterile solution and a local anesthetic may be given to numb the area. A hollow needle is placed in the breast targeting the area of concern. When its position is verified through additional X-rays, a small guide wire is inserted through the needle. A dressing will be applied over the area.

If you are having surgery immediately after the breast localization, you will be taken to the operating room where again your breast will be cleaned and a local anesthetic will be administered. An incision is made in your breast where the wire was inserted and the surgeon removes abnormal tissue using the wire as a guide. The incision is closed and a dressing is applied.

What happens after the procedure?
If you have had surgery following the breast localization, you will be taken to the recovery room for observation. You may have some soreness and swelling for a few days after the surgery. If it was not already analyzed during the procedure, the tissue sample will be analyzed by a pathologist.

What are the benefits of breast localization?
This procedure allows a surgeon to find, analyze and remove an abnormal mass that is too small to otherwise be located.

What are the risks of breast localization?
You will have a small scar from the biopsy surgery itself, but it should not change the shape of your breast. You may experience nausea from the anesthetic.

Where can I go for breast localization services?
Breast localization testing services are available at the following locations:

Doctors Hospital
5100 West Broad Street
Phone: (614) 544-2288
Scheduling: (614) 566-1111
Fax: (614) 851-8657

Grant Medical Center
111 South Grant Ave.
Phone: (614) 566-9350
Scheduling: (614) 566-1111
Fax: (614) 566-8259

Eastside Health Center
4850 East Main Street
Phone: (614) 566-0900
Scheduling: (614) 566-1111
Fax: (614) 566-0967

Riverside Methodist Hospital
3535 Olentangy River Road
Phone: (614) 566-5253
Scheduling: (614) 566-1111
Fax: (614) 566-6826