Early Breast Cancer: Could Combined LOCalizer^TM and Ultrasound Localization Replace the Metallic Wire? A Multicentric...

Background: Breast localization plays a key role in early breast cancer (BC) surgery. The current gold standard is wire-guided localization (WGL), despite the known disadvantages. The patients often experience anxiety and discomfort due the metallic wire placed in the breast, and surgeons are compelled to perform the surgery on the same day as the radiological release of the wire to prevent migrations or breakages. Various wireless systems have been proposed as alternative to WGL. LOCalizer^TM offers the advantage of providing the exact distance from the marker called Tag. The combined technique using LOCalizer^TM and US allows for determining the distance from the BC margin, a critical surgical goal for oncological radicality. Methods: Patients referred for breast surgery to two Italian hospitals were enrolled and divided into two groups: Group A, including patients undergoing a combined approach, and group B, including patients treated with conventional WGL. Results: The combined approach with LOCalizer^TM and US was associated with better outcomes in terms of oncological radicality, cosmetic results, and patients' satisfaction. Conclusions: In the current study, LOCalizer^TM associated with US could be considered an excellent approach for localizing non-palpable BC. Further larger comparative studies are needed to address this issue.