Her Fight is Our Mission

Impalpable breast lesions are abnormalities detected on imaging (like mammography, ultrasound, or MRI) that cannot be felt during a physical examination. These may include early cancers (such as DCIS), atypical hyperplasia, or high-risk lesions that require surgical removal for diagnosis or treatment. Because these lesions are not detectable by touch, the surgical approach must be image-guided and carefully planned to ensure complete and accurate removal.

At Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre, advanced localisation techniques like wire localisation or radioactive tracer placement are performed to accurately target and remove the lesion while preserving surrounding healthy tissue and breast contour.

How the Procedure Is Performed

• The surgery is typically performed under general anaesthesia as a day-care or short-stay procedure.
• Prior to surgery, a wire localisation procedure is performed:
• Wire-Guided Localisation: A thin wire is placed into the lesion using ultrasound or mammography guidance to help the surgeon identify the target area.
• Radioactive Seed Localisation: A tiny radioactive tracer is inserted into the lesion before surgery. A gamma probe is used intraoperatively to detect the seed and guide excision.
• In the operating room, the breast surgeon uses the localisation device to precisely identify and excise the lesion with a surrounding margin of healthy tissue.
• Specimen mammography or ultrasound may be used intraoperatively to confirm complete removal.
• The incision is closed with fine sutures, carefully positioned for cosmetic discretion.
• The removed tissue is sent for pathological analysis to confirm diagnosis and margin status.

Recovery

• Hospital stay: Most patients go home the same day. Sutures are usually dissolvable or removed within a week.
• Pain management: Mild soreness or swelling near the incision is common and managed with pain relievers.
• Resuming routine: Light activities can resume in 2–3 days; full recovery is expected within 1–2 weeks.
• Follow-up: Final pathology results are typically available in 5–7 days, guiding any further treatment.

Key Advantages

• Accurate removal of non-palpable or early-stage lesions with minimal disruption to the breast.
• Minimally invasive, with small, well-placed incisions and low complication rates.
• Highly precise targeting, thanks to advanced localisation methods like wire and seed guidance.
• Excellent cosmetic results, especially when combined with oncoplastic techniques.
• Short hospital stay and quick recovery, making it suitable for early or diagnostic interventions.
• Supports early detection, enabling effective treatment even before the lesion becomes palpable.

Continuum of Care

Surgical care for impalpable breast lesions at Apollo Athenaa is part of a fully coordinated clinical pathway, supported by:

• Pre-operative planning with breast surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists
• Expert oncoplastic  closure, which means that breast shape and appearance is preserved 
• Post-operative support, including wound care and scar management
• Multidisciplinary review of pathology findings to guide next steps 
• Long-term follow-up, with imaging surveillance and psychosocial care

By bringing together advanced diagnostics and thoughtful surgery, Apollo Athenaa ensures that even the smallest lesions receive the highest standard of care.