This information explains your breast needle localization procedure at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK).
Breast needle localization is a procedure done to find exactly where your abnormal breast tissue is and mark its location. This will help your doctor find the area easily during your surgery.
Before Your Procedure
Take devices off your skin
You may wear certain devices on your skin. Before your scan or procedure, device makers recommend you take off your:
- Continuous glucose monitor (CGM)
- Insulin pump
Talk with your healthcare provider about scheduling your appointment closer to the date you need to change your device. Make sure you have an extra device with you to put on after your scan or procedure.
You may not be sure how to manage your glucose while your device is off. If so, before your appointment, talk with the healthcare provider who manages your diabetes care.
The Day of Your Procedure
- Don’t put anything on your breasts, nipples, or under your arms on the day of the procedure. This includes powder, deodorant, perfumes, colognes, and creams.
- Wear a shirt that you can easily remove.
- Follow any additional instructions your healthcare provider gave you.
During Your Procedure
You’ll have your breast localization procedure done during a mammogram while your breast is compressed. If your doctor can’t see the abnormal tissue on the mammogram, you may have an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instead. These are imaging procedures that will help your doctor find the abnormal tissue.
Once your doctor finds the abnormal tissue, your radiologist will give you an injection (shot) of local anesthetic (medication to make an area numb) into the area.
After the area is numb, your radiologist will insert a needle with a thin wire into your breast. They’ll take a series of images of your breast using a mammogram to make sure the needle is in the correct position. Then, they’ll remove the needle and the wire will stay in your breast. You’ll have another set of images taken to show the exact location of the wire.
The wire will be covered with a piece of gauze and taped to your skin. Your surgeon will use the wire to find the abnormal breast tissue during your surgery.
After Your Procedure
After your procedure, MSK staff will bring you to the Breast Imaging Department in Radiology for your next appointment.