NMMC Surgeons Adopt Wire-Free Radar Localization Technology to Improve Surgical Experience for Breast Cancer Patients

NMMC first in Mississippi to use the SCOUT ® Wire-Free Radar Localization System

TUPELO, Miss.—North Mississippi Medical Center continues to demonstrate its commitment to offering the most advanced treatment options to patients with breast cancer by becoming the first hospital in Mississippi to adopt the SCOUT® Wire-Free Radar Localization System to provide easier, more compassionate care to women undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

“Breast cancer surgery can be physically and emotionally distressing for women, and we strive to find ways to create a better experience—and better outcomes—for our patients,” says Danny Sanders, M.D., general surgeon. “SCOUT resolves one of the most difficult aspects of breast conservation surgery by eliminating the need to place a wire inside breast tissue to locate a tumor.”

Dr. Sanders was the first to use this technology in Mississippi.

The SCOUT system has been proven in more than 150,000 procedures. It has been shown to decrease patient discomfort and improve patient satisfaction. SCOUT uses non-radioactive, radar technology to provide real-time surgical guidance during breast surgery. Rather than placing a wire immediately before surgery, a SCOUT reflector is placed in the target tissue prior to the day of surgery at the patient’s convenience.

“SCOUT can be placed using ultrasound in the clinic, or I can place it with stereotactic guidance in the hospital,” Dr. Sanders says.

During surgery, the SCOUT guide uses real-time distance measurement guidance to accurately detect the location of the SCOUT reflector—and the tumor to within 1mm of accuracy.

The ability to precisely locate tumors may increase the probability of complete cancer removal and reduce the likelihood of needing follow-up surgeries—a huge advantage for early-stage breast cancer patients. In addition, the ability to strategically plan the incision may result in better cosmetic outcomes. SCOUT is also used to effectively localize lymph nodes prior to other treatments and can be used with any type of imaging over the course of a patient’s care.

NMMC’s Breast Cancer Program includes an American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, and is fully accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons.

The NMMC Breast Cancer Program includes all providers who diagnose and care for patients with breast cancer – including surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and the staff of the NMMC Breast Care Center. This multi-disciplinary care team meets weekly to design comprehensive, individualized treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each patient.

For more information on services available at NMMC, visit www.nmhs.net