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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.
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Who
should have breast localization?
A patient whose doctor has discovered an abnormality that can only
be located through mammogram or ultrasound.
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When should
you have breast localization?
As recommended by your surgeon.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Whitehall
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
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Last updated: November 2001.
Source of material: American Cancer
Society, Harvard Health
Online, herSource.com,
National Institutes
of Health, InteliHealth
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