MaineGeneral offers new breast-conserving cancer surgery technology

MaineGeneral is the first medical center in Maine to use the FDA-cleared SCOUT^® radar localization system, offering more precise surgery for breast cancer patients.

The traditional way for surgeons to identify breast cancer tumors relied on wire localization. In this process, a wire is put into a patient’s breast at the point of the lesion so the surgeon can locate the tumor in breast-conserving surgery.

This procedure is uncomfortable and inconvenient for patients facing breast cancer surgery. Additionally, wires can become displaced, leading to removal of excess tissue or additional surgical procedures.

MaineGeneral began offering the SCOUT^® system in November. It uses non-radioactive radar technology to provide real-time guidance to the surgeon.

A reflector the size of a grain of rice is placed in the target tissue before the day of surgery, at a convenient time for the patient. The surgeon is guided to the tumor by the reflector to within one millimeter of accuracy.

“Being able to precisely locate tumors increases our ability to completely remove the cancer and reduces the likelihood of follow-up surgeries,” said Ian Reight, MD, of MaineGeneral Surgery.

“This new technique also allows for better breast conservation, which is a huge advantage for early-stage breast cancer patients.”

Learn more about MaineGeneral’s breast cancer program