Breast-Conserving Surgery for Early-Stage Cancer
Penn State Health Breast Center offers the latest technology to treat women with early-stage breast cancer. The SAVI SCOUT® surgical guidance system allows our surgeons to accurately pinpoint tumors prior to surgery. The guidance system makes breast-conserving surgeries - such as lumpectomies - more accurate. By pre-planning the surgery, smaller incisions can be used, which can save time and breast tissue.
Traditionally, a surgeon would use a wire localization for pinpointing breast tumors. This leaves a wire in the breast as you prepare for surgery. The surgeon then uses the wire to locate and remove the tumor. This is typically done the morning of the surgery.
The SAVI SCOUT® allows the surgeon to place a reflector, about the size of a piece of rice, in your tumor up to a month prior to surgery. This reflector does not restrict movements and will be activated before surgery. Nonradioactive radar waves are used to detect it within your breast.
SAVI SCOUT® is designed to treat early-stage breast cancer if you choose a lumpectomy for treatment.
Symptoms, Diagnosis and Outlook
Comprehensive Services for Breast Health
Penn State Health offers a full spectrum of imaging and treatments, including breast localization and tumor removal, to detect and treat breast cancer. If you need additional testing or treatment, we offer:
- Same-day results for screening exams – you can wait to see if your screening exam shows any abnormalities and schedule additional tests if necessary.
- Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) – a screening breast ultrasound used for women with dense breast tissue and at high risk for breast cancer.
- Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – used to identify and stage breast cancer and other breast diseases. It’s also a valuable screening tool in women at high risk for breast cancer.
- Guided biopsies – used to get a sample of breast tissue if an abnormality is found during mammogram or ultrasound. The biopsy will be guided by ultrasound (ultrasound guided core biopsy), mammographic imaging (stereotactic guided core biopsy) or MRI (MRI guided biopsy).
- On-site radiologists for consultation – our radiologists are available to discuss any abnormal results.
Advanced Surgical Care
If surgery is necessary to remove a benign or cancerous tumor, our goal is to conserve breast tissue. Our breast imaging center is co-located with the breast surgery clinic to receive all your care in one location. Our breast surgeons are skilled in the latest minimally invasive techniques, including:
- Sentinel node biopsies – removing lymph nodes using a minimally invasive technique.
- Cryoablation – using cold therapy to destroy cancer cells and close the blood vessels feeding the tumor.
- Skin and nipple-sparing mastectomies – when all breast tissue must be removed we provide comprehensive breast reconstruction that can preserve your skin and nipple.
Experts in Care
Meet our doctors, view their profiles and select the one that’s right for you.
Find a doctor near youWhy Choose Penn State Health for Care
Nationally Recognized Radiology and Imaging Expertise
Penn State Health is dedicated to providing exceptional care. We consistently meet or exceed stringent national guidelines for patient care quality. That means you can get leading-edge care from a team you can trust. Our quality recognitions include:
- Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BICOE) [link to https://www.acraccreditation.org/breast-imaging-center-of-excellence] designation by the American College of Radiology
- Recognition as a National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) and Food and Drug Administration approval
Expert, Team-Based Care Designed for You
All our radiologists are board-certified and fellowship-trained in various areas of radiology. Many of our registered radiology technologists have advanced certifications in their specialty. Our team also includes radiology assistants, nurses and sonographers. As a member of the Image Gently initiative, we’re committed to using the lowest level of radiation possible.
We work closely with specialists in a wide range of specialties, including primary care, cancer, general surgery, and more. We work as a team to provide complete care and personal attention.
Convenient Locations
Find the care your family needs, close to home, at one of our many locations throughout central Pennsylvania.
Find a location near you