SAVI SCOUT radar localization for lumpectomy

SAVI SCOUT® technology makes lumpectomy procedures — breast conserving surgeries where only part of the breast is removed — easier for both patients and their surgeons by accurately pinpointing tumors before surgery to treat breast cancer. By seeing exactly where the tumors are ahead of surgery, we can go straight to the abnormality during surgery and more precisely and effectively remove the entire tumor.

The FDA-approved technology may also help you maintain more normal-looking breasts by limiting the amount of healthy breast tissue removed, as well as decreasing the amount of time spent in the hospital when compared with traditional wire localization.

Penn Medicine is the first in the region to offer SAVI SCOUT radar localization technology to treat those who are diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and will undergo breast cancer surgery.

Nearly 175,000 people have breast-conserving surgery each year. About 30 percent require repeat surgery because some detectable cancer cells remain after the first procedure. Wire localization used to be the preferred preoperative technique for localizing breast tumors. Traditionally, a radiologist inserts a wire in the breast the morning of surgery. The wire is left sticking out and restricts movement until the lumpectomy occurs, often several hours later. The surgeon then follows the wire and removes the tumor. In some cases, wires can move away from the tumor, making it more difficult to remove all the cancerous tissue. When this happens, the patient might need a second surgery.

SAVI SCOUT eliminates the wires. Instead, SAVI SCOUT uses a reflector that is about the size of a grain of rice. It is placed in your tumor up to 30 days before surgery. The reflector is not externally visible, and placement does not restrict your movements. The reflector is passive until activated, and then safe, nonradioactive radar waves are used by an external device to detect the reflector within your breast. The nonradioactive surgical guidance technology guides your surgeon to the precise site of your tumor and can increase the likelihood of complete tumor removal. 

SAVI SCOUT is designed to help treat early-stage breast cancer patients who choose to have a lumpectomy or excisional biopsy — a diagnostic procedure in which the whole tumor is removed and tested — where the tumor is not able to be felt by hand.

When tumors are accurately located during the first surgery, any additional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can occur faster.

There are no special preparations needed before your radiologist places the SAVI SCOUT reflector. The procedure can be done in an outpatient ultrasound or mammogram visit up to 30 days before your lumpectomy. The radiologist will inject a local anesthetic to numb your breast, then use a needle to place the reflector tag. You may feel a sting before the area is fully numb, followed by a slight pressure as the reflector is inserted. The needle puncture site is then covered with a small dressing.

Once the reflector is in place, you won’t be able to see or feel the device. There may be some bruising and mild tenderness around the needle puncture site. Your doctor may recommend a pain medicine to alleviate the discomfort. A sports bra may also provide comfort. You can resume most activities the next day, including a shower or bath, but your doctor may recommend that you avoid swimming for 48 hours.

One of the obvious advantages of SAVI SCOUT is that it allows us to eliminate wire localization, which often causes discomfort and anxiety in patients. Now, patients do not have to wait around to have their surgery and can have it earlier in the day. Plus, the SAVI SCOUT reflector is so small that you won't even feel it.

In addition, we can plan the incision during surgery, which may limit tissue removal for better cosmetic results. Our goal is to save the breast, and with this technology, we can make smaller incisions, be a lot more precise, and save more of the normal tissue. This also means a less painful and quicker recovery for you.

When possible, Penn's breast surgeons work in tandem with plastic surgeons on breast reconstruction, to preserve or remodel the physical appearance of your breasts immediately after a lumpectomy, reducing your total recovery time.

There aren’t any known health risks with SAVI SCOUT. However, it's important to note the following: 

• Patients with a nickel allergy should not use SAVI SCOUT
• Infection and bleeding, while uncommon, can occur
• Rarely, the reflector may fail to reflect signals to the external console