Radioguided Localisation Techniques for Non-Palpable Breast Lesions: An Umbrella Review
<b>Background:</b> Accurate localisation of non-palpable breast lesions is essential for the optimization of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) outcomes. While wire-guided localisation (WGL) remains widely used, radioguided techniques-including Radioguided Occult Lesion Localisation (ROLL) and Radioactive Seed Localisation (RSL)-have been proposed to improve margin clearance, reduce reoperations, and enhance patient outcomes. This umbrella review aimed to critically appraise and synthesize evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses on radioguided localisation techniques for non-palpable breast lesions, with a primary focus on comparison with wire-guided localisation (WGL). <b>Methods:</b> A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed/Medline and the Cochrane Library databases for eligible systematic reviews/meta-analyses published until 2024, focusing on outcomes such as relative efficacy, safety, margin positivity, re-excision rates, operative efficiency, and patient-related outcomes. <b>Results:</b> In total, 35 records were retrieved, but only 10 evidence-based articles were selected. Radioguided approaches achieved high localisation success (often exceeding 95%) and fewer positive margins compared to WGL, while reoperation findings were mixed. Operative/localisation times were generally shorter for radioguided methods, with comparable specimen volume/weight and favourable safety profiles. <b>Conclusions:</b> Radioguided localisation methods provide superior or at least equivalent outcomes compared with WGL and can improve workflow; Sentinel Node and Occult Lesion Localisation (SNOLL) may support combined lesion localisation and sentinel node evaluation. Further high-quality, standardized comparative studies are needed to define the optimal resection ratio, protocol standardization and cost of the radioguided techniques and other newer probe-guided methods.
Authors
- Giorgio Treglia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9808-780X)
- Gaetano Paone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2864-5364)
- Maria Luisa Gasparri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9482-9527)
- Marco Cuzzocrea (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8214-562X)
- Nickolas Peradze (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2680-2426)
- Cesare Michele Iacovitti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8951-382X)
- Lorenzo Rossi
Institutions
- Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (CH)
- Università della Svizzera italiana (CH)
- University of Lausanne (CH)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Published
- 2026-01-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15020750
- Primary Topic
- Breast Cancer Treatment Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00