Prospective randomized study comparing cryo-assisted and needle-wire localization of ultrasound-visible breast tumors.
BACKGROUND
This study compared the surgical results of 2 localization methods-cryo-assisted localization (CAL) and needle-wire localization (NWL)-in patients undergoing breast lumpectomy for breast cancer.


METHODS
A total of 310 patients were treated in an institutional review board-approved study with 18 surgeons at 17 sites. Patients were randomized 2:1 to undergo either intraoperative CAL or NWL. A cryoprobe was inserted under ultrasound guidance in the operating room and an ice ball created an 8- to 10-mm margin around the lesion. The palpable ice ball then was dissected. NWL was placed according to institutional practice and resection was performed in a standard fashion. Surgical margins, complications, re-excisions, tissue volume, procedure times, ease of localization, specimen quality, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Positive margins were defined as any type of disease present 1 mm or less from any specimen edge.


RESULTS
Positive margin status did not differ between the 2 groups (28% vs. 31%). The volume of tissue removed was significantly less in the CAL group (49 vs. 66 mL, P = .002). Re-excisions were similar in both groups. CAL was superior in ease of lumpectomy, quality of specimen, acute surgical cosmesis, short-term cosmesis, patient satisfaction, and overall procedure time for the patient. CAL had a lower invasive positive margin rate (11% vs. 20%, P = .039) but a higher observed ductal carcinoma in situ-positive margin rate (30% vs. 18%, approaching statistical significance, P = .052).


CONCLUSIONS
CAL is a preferred alternative to standard wire localization because it provides a palpable template, removes less tissue and improves cosmesis, decreases overall procedure time, and is more convenient for the patient and surgeon.
Tafra
Lorraine
L
Anne Arundel Medical Center, 2002 Medical Pkwy., Suite 120, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA. ltafra@aahs.org
Fine
Richard
R
Whitworth
Pat
P
Berry
Michael
M
Woods
James
J
Ekbom
Gregory
G
Gass
Jennifer
J
Beitsch
Peter
P
Dodge
Daleela
D
Han
Linda
L
Potruch
Theodore
T
Francescatti
Darius
D
Oetting
Lori
L
Smith
J Stanley
JS
Snider
Howard
H
Kleban
Donna
D
Chagpar
Anees
A
Akbari
Stephanie
S
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003452:Cryosurgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary