Wide Local Excision & Biopsy Procedure

A wide local excision removes cancer while keeping as much of your breast as possible. It also includes a small amount of healthy tissue to lower the risk of cancer returning. This helps keep the breast's natural shape. The incision is usually made around the areola to minimise visible scarring. After removing the tumour, the surrounding tissue is reshaped to maintain a balanced and natural appearance. For ductal carcinoma in situ (or DCIS), a tiny precision marker is used to pinpoint the area to be removed. This helps the surgeon be as accurate as possible, especially when the area is small or deep. If the lump can be felt, a marker may not be necessary. However, for smaller or deeper areas, the marker improves accuracy. As shown in the Precision Marker Coil image, this helps us be very precise during surgery. If the cancer is invasive, we perform a sentinel lymph node biopsy to check if cancer cells have spread. The sentinel node is the first lymph node that cancer would likely reach. To find the sentinel node, a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected before surgery. This helps us locate the node and remove only what's necessary, lowering the risk of side effects like lymphoedema. The Sentinel Node image shows how the breast tumour and sentinel lymph node are removed together. The breast is then reshaped to maintain a natural look, as shown in the Local Reconstruction image. Before surgery - you'll have a pre-assessment to explain the process. We also recommend bringing an overnight bag just in case. Avoid shaving under your arm for at least two days before the operation. On the day of surgery, you'll meet the surgical and anaesthetic teams. They'll review your consent form, mark the side of the operation, and give you a radioactive injection if needed. Most patients go home the same day but need someone with them overnight. The wound is closed with dissolvable stitches and covered with Steri-Strips, which usually fall off within 10 to 14 days. After surgery, it's normal to feel pain, bruising, and swelling. Some people may get a fluid build-up called a seroma, which can be drained if uncomfortable. Any redness or pain should be reported to your care team. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled within 5 to 7 days to discuss results and any further treatment. If you have questions - or need more information, we are here to help.