Wire Localisation of the Breast
Date issued: June 2026
Review date: June 2028
Leaflet section: Breast Care
PDF: Wire Localisation of the Breast.pdf [pdf] 140KB
West Devon and East Cornwall Breast Screening Service
You have been advised that you need a wire localisation of an abnormal area within your breast before surgery. This leaflet may help to answer some of your questions.
What is a Wire Localisation?
It is a wire inserted into your breast to mark the area of abnormal tissue. The surgeon uses the wire to localise the area to be targeted during the operation. It is a very accurate procedure.
Why do I need it?
Your mammogram and/or breast ultrasound has shown an area inside the breast which needs to be looked at more closely. In order to do this the tissue containing the abnormality needs to be removed and then examined by a pathologist. Because the area cannot be felt, the radiologist needs to pinpoint the area with a wire before surgery. During the operation the surgeon will follow the wire and remove the tissue around it, together with the wire.
How is it done?
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The procedure is usually performed on the morning of surgery so that the wire is in position for the shortest possible time. It is done either in the ultrasound room or in a mammography room. In either setting, the procedure is similar to the breast needle biopsy you have already had.
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Once the area has been identified with either the ultrasound machine or in a mammogram machine, the radiologist will put local anaesthetic into your breast at the site where the wire is to be placed.
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Once the area is numb, a fine needle containing the wire is inserted into your breast. This only takes seconds. Once the wire is in the desired position, the needle is removed. This leaves one end of the wire inside the breast, and the other end outside the breast. This is secured with a small dressing.
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2 mammogram pictures of the breast are taken to check and confirm the position.
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You will return to the surgical waiting area before the operation. The operation may be AM or PM.
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Your operation is usually performed under general anaesthetic. The wire is removed together with a small amount of breast tissue which is x-rayed to confirm that it contains the abnormal tissue.
Will it hurt?
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The local anaesthetic may sting a little at first but once it has taken effect and numbed the area, there is little further discomfort.
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The procedure may be uncomfortable but not usually painful
Risks
There is a small risk of bruising.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding this procedure, please contact your Breast Care Nurse. Answerphone Service: 01752 431898.
Other formats
If you need this leaflet in another format such as Braille, large print, high contrast, British Sign Language or translated into another language, contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS):
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01752 439694
