wireless indentification tag?
Hi, facing another lumpectomy for dcis, and the surgeon explained they don't do wires anymore, that they use a wireless Identification tag which helps maintain breast tissue by targeting the precise area of cancer during surgery. (Not sure I'm saying this right…. ) Anyway, I'm told it's placed before surgery with ultrasound, similar to biopsy clip.
My question is —has anyone had this done recently? Are there any issues with it, now that it is a new technology?
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RFID tags are now used instead of wires because they are more accurate in pinpointing the cancer location, comfortable and cost effective. There is another type of marker called BioZorb which was meant to minimize radiation tissue damage but it has been recalled since some people were allergic to it. Initially there were occasional problems with RFID markers causing hematomas but they redesigned the placement needle to help prevent that. This method was approved by the FDA in 2017. I can’t provide any personal experience because my tumor was palpable so I didn’t need a marker.
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Having been through both a wire procedure (14 years ago) and the SaviScout wire-free procedure, I can honestly tell you this is a game-changer! The wire-free procedure was not very different than the biopsy — though my biopsy was ultrasound-guided and the scout procedure was mammo-guided — everything is done under local anesthesia. The wire procedure was not and it was incredibly traumatic.
The only "issue" I had was kinda psychological... the idea that multiple disruptions to the tumor area well before surgery could give more opportunity for spread. I ended up needing chemo regardless so that assuaged my fears a bit.
I'dbe happy to answer any questions if you have them! Good luck!
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