Tiny, Radioactive Seed is Game Changer for Breast Cancer Patients

What used to require invasive wires to mark the spot now takes a tiny seed.

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Jill Chadwick

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A tiny radioactive seed the size of a pencil tip is proving to be more accurate, less painful and improving surgical outcomes for women facing breast cancer.  The seed can be implanted one to five days prior to surgery and acts as a guide leading the surgeon directly to the lump.  It replaces invasive wires inserted into the breast to locate tumors too deep in the breast to feel.  Breast cancer surgeon Jamie Wagner explains the benefits to both the surgeon and patient with the radioactive seed.