Radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) for non-palpable breast cancer: a comparison between day-before and same-day protocols.

BACKGROUND

Although radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) has become a widely accepted technique, the optimal time interval between the radioisotope injection and surgery has not yet been determined.

AIM

To delineate the effects of time from the injection of the radionuclide until surgery on the ROLL success rate in a patient population diagnosed as having non-palpable breast cancer.

METHODS

Between December 2004 and May 2009, 75 patients underwent ROLL procedure. The day-before protocol and same-day protocols included 50 and 25 breast cancer patients respectively.

RESULTS

The two study groups were comparable in terms of age, localization technique, radiological findings and the type of surgical procedures (P > 0.05). No statistically significant difference was noticed in the pathological diagnosis, cancer size and the surgical margin clearance between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Same-day injection of the radiotracer was not superior to the day-before injection in ROLL. The day-before protocol can be scheduled for the convenience of both patients and hospital staff.