New Improved Breast cancer Localisation - SCOUT
New Improved Breast cancer Localisation - SCOUT
SCOUT is a new technique used to find breast cancers that can not be felt. 20-30% of all Breast cancers are detected early enough that they can not be felt. These are known an non-palpable breast cancer.
SCOUT radar Reflector
To find the breast cancer at the time of surgery a localisation technique is required. This traditionally has been with the use of a Hookwire that cause discomfort and anxiety on the morning of your surgery. SCOUT localisation is a far more comfortable and most importantly accurate form of localisation.
Traditionally used Hookwire into breast to locate tumour site
Hookwire Localisation
SCOUT localisation requires a small Radar reflector to be placed into the breast tumour under imaging guidance (usually ultrasound, but occasionally Mammogram). At the time of surgery a small locator probe is used to identify the SCOUT reflector. This provides Realtime information to the surgeon to precisely locate where the tumour and allow an easier, more accurate removal.
SCOUT Reflector marking small tumour
SCOUT localisation does not use any radiation or magnets. It is safe to be put in well before your surgery date at a convenient time. You can still have MRI with a SCOUT reflector in place which is extremely important in dense breast women who are undergoing chemotherapy prior to their surgery (neoadjuvant therapy)
The benefit of SCOUT is improved accuracy. With the use of traditional Hookwires 15-20% of all breast cancer lumpectomy require a second operation to take more tissue in order to achieve an adequate margin of normal tissue around the tumour to prevent recurrence of the tumour.
Specimen Xray showing SCOUT reflector with excised breast cancer and a clear margin of normal breast tissue
Since using SCOUT localisation there has been <5% of patients requiring a second operation to improve the margin. This prevents delays in your treatment and avoids further surgery.
If you have questions about SCOUT localisation please ask feel free to look at the following information provided by MERIT medical who manufacture the SCOUT localisation.
Locator probe identifying SCOUT seed