Magnetic Seed localisation of breast cancers Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Safety and feasibility study of the use of Magnetic Seeds for the localisation of breast cancers for surgical excision
IRAS ID
185589
Contact name
James Harvey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital of South Manchester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 24 days
Research summary
Many breast cancers are not able to be felt by patients or by breast surgeons because either they do not form a lump that we can feel, or mainly because they are picked up at an early stage before they become large enough to be felt. For surgeons to remove these cancers, the site of the cancer is marked for surgery, this usually involves having a metal wire inserted into the breast and the cancer, which the surgeon can follow during surgery to find the cancer. This study aims to assess the ability of a magnetic seed placed before surgery to direct a surgeon accurately to the cancer. The surgeon will use a small probe that can detect magnetism to help to find the marker. The method has the potential to direct surgeons more accurately to the cancer site than following a wire, particularly in a large breast, which can be difficult and involve removing unecessary tissue. Placement of a seed in advance logistically makes it easier for staff and patients as the seed can be placed many days in advance of surgery, unlike a wire which requires placement on the morning of surgery. This means a patient can come in on the day of surgery ready to have their operation straight away. There is the potential for the magnetic seed to more accurately show surgeons the site of the cancer and to reduce the amount of unnecessary tissue removed from the breast.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0092
Date of REC Opinion
22 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion