New technology at Sudbury hospital offers better way to perform breast cancer surgery

A better way to perform breast cancer surgery A cutting-edge technique is now being used at the hospital in Sudbury that’s improving precision and efficiency of breast cancer surgery.

There’s a new, cutting-edge technique being used at the hospital in Sudbury that’s improving precision and efficiency of breast cancer surgery.

The precise procedure makes use of new technology at Health Sciences North in Sudbury.

"It was a …seemed like a very simple procedure considering that it was a serious procedure, as they removed a tumour from my breast," said Brenda Hong, the first patient at HSN to undergo surgery using the MOLLI Surgical Localization System last December.

"It was very painless, quick and from my perspective it seemed very easy to use."

A needle is inserted into the breast and then a small magnetic marker is implanted that later helps guide surgeons to the tumour or lesion.

"The marker that was put in when they biopsied, as well as the MOLLI, is removed because it’s in the lesion … the cancer," said Dr. Michele Brule, general surgeon at HSN.

"It’s all removed together."

Brule said the MOLLI technique improves the precision and efficiency of breast cancer surgery.

"I have a probe that will tell me when I am close to it," she said.

"And tells me exactly, 'oh, you’re two centimetres away' and there’s, like, a bullseye ... So that allows us to make a smaller incision. And there’s nothing sticking out from the patient. It doesn’t move."

The marker can be inserted at a different time than the surgery, Brule said.

Hong had both done on the same day, making it easier for her since she traveled to Sudbury from her home in Englehart.

She has advice for others.

"Don’t worry about it," she said.

"It’s very simple -- everybody takes such good care of your there. I was very pleased."

CIBC has pledged a half million dollars to the HSN Foundation to support the acquisition of the MOLLI system.

The hospital said the technology will mean better outcomes for the more than 120 women who undergo breast biopsies here every year.