This information explains your radioactive seed localization procedure before your breast surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK).
About Breast Seed Localization
Breast seed localization is a procedure where a tiny metal seed, about the size of a small sesame seed, is placed into abnormal breast tissue to mark its location. It may be done if the abnormal tissue is too small to be seen or felt by hand. The seed contains a small amount of radiation.
During your surgery, your surgeon will use a special tool to find the breast seed and the surrounding abnormal tissue. They will then take the seed and tissue out.
Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and will answer your questions.
Before Your Procedure
Talk with your healthcare provider
Tell your doctor about all the medications you’re taking, including patches and creams. You may need to stop taking certain medications before your breast seed localization procedure.
If you’re currently breastfeeding, tell your doctor. You may be able to have a different type of breast seed localization so you can continue breastfeeding.
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. This includes talcum powder, deodorant, perfumes, colognes, and creams.
- Wear a shirt that you can remove easily.
- Tell the doctor performing your procedure if you’re allergic to any medications.
During Your Procedure
Your breast seed localization procedure will be done during a mammogram while your breast is compressed or during an ultrasound if it’s easier to see the tissue with ultrasound.
First, your doctor will take a picture of your breast using mammogram or ultrasound. Once they see where the abnormal tissue is, they will give you an injection (shot) of local anesthetic (medication to make an area numb) close to the area.
After the area is numb, your doctor will insert a needle with the seed inside of it into your breast. After inserting the needle, they will take more pictures of your breast. If needed, the position of the needle will be changed and more pictures will be taken.
When the needle is in the right place, the seed will be placed into the tissue and your doctor will remove the needle. The seed will stay in your breast until your surgery. You will have another set of pictures taken to show the exact location of the seed. Later, your surgeon will use these pictures as a map to guide your surgery.
The spot where the needle was inserted will be covered with surgical tape (such as Steri-Strip™) and a small bandage (such as a Band-Aid®) will be placed over the surgical tape.
Before showering, remove the bandage but leave the strips on your skin. Follow your surgeon’s instructions for showering. Your surgeon will remove the strips for you.
Your breast seed localization procedure will take about 30 minutes.
After Your Procedure
- Don’t hold a baby, child, or young animal against your chest for any longer than 30 minutes per day for the next month (30 days) or until the seed is removed during surgery.
- The items you touch and clothes that you wear won’t become radioactive. People who are in close physical contact with you may be exposed to very small amounts of radiation. There isn’t any evidence that this exposure is harmful.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Radiation Safety Service in the Department of Medical Physics at 212-639-7391.