Metrowest Medical Center Acquires New Technology Aimed at Identifying and Removing Breast Cancers with Increased Accuracy

Magseed improves the breast cancer patient experience 

MetroWest Medical Center now offers breast cancer patients access to the Magseed® marker technology, a medical device designed to aid physicians in locating cancerous tissue for precise removal. The Magseed® is minimally invasive and increases the likelihood of the cancer being removed in one surgical procedure.

Magseed® is a small metallic seed, roughly the size of a grain of rice, which is primarily used to mark tumors, but can also be used in lymph node surgical procedures for more advanced cancers. For that reason, it is difficult to feel when placed in the breast before surgery and is designed to be painless. It is meant to replace the traditional and outdated method of treatment, known as wire localization, which can be both cumbersome for physicians and uncomfortable for patients.

“Once placed, the Magseed® cannot be dislodged or damaged,” says Dr. Lorenzo Bucci, a General and Breast Surgeon at MetroWest Medical Center. “During surgery, it emits a magnetic signal that is picked up by the Sentimag® probe - similar to how a metal detector would work - showing when the seed is close and helping the surgeon locate the target cancer.”

This technology can be placed at the cancer site days or weeks ahead of surgery. This provides greater flexibility for the physicians. Patients benefit because there may be less time waiting on the day of surgery for an extra procedure.

“The Magseed® marker combined with the Sentimag® probe can be an effective method to localize non-palpable breast lesions. Not only does Magseed® help us to identity the exact location of the patient’s cancer, but this technology also improves a patient’s journey from a mental standpoint,” explains MetroWest Medical Center Radiologist Dr. Neha Modi, Division Director of Mammography. “The patient generally feels the exact same as their biopsy, however, it can be much quicker and less painful than the biopsy.”

“We are committed to bringing these kinds of advanced technologies and treatments, such as our Magseed® product, to MetroWest Medical Center to help meet the healthcare needs of our community and enhance our clinical capabilities,” says MetroWest Medical Center CEO John Whitlock, Jr.

More than 2.3 million people worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. 

For more information, please visit MetroWest Medical Center’s Imaging Center page here. Also, take our Breast Cancer quiz here.