A 41-year-old male-to-female (MtF) transgender patient presented with a symptomatic tender lump in the left breast. There was no family history of breast cancer. She had been receiving estrogen therapy for 14 years to maintain her secondary sexual characteristics. Triple assessment revealed a 13 mm triple-negative grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. The tumour was completely excised following a left wide local excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy. There was no regional lymph node involvement. She was referred to the oncologist for adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The breast surgical community has faced huge challenges due to close working relationships with radiologists who are in short supply. Breast lesion localization is moving away from the traditional wire technique, which requires an on-site radiologist to support theater scheduling. In North Wales, the introduction of Magseed for impalpable breast lesion localization has facilitated theater scheduling in the absence of same day radiology presence. We audited our first 200 Magseed cases to assess the safety and efficacy of the technique, the ease of use, and patient experience. Data were entered prospectively into an excel data base relating to Magseed cases. Data collected included demographics, pre and postoperative lesion size, histology, margin positivity, and re-excision rates. Data were submitted in real time by the radiologist performing Magseed insertion to ascertain degree of difficulty. A PROMS questionnaire was designed and sent to patients undergoing Magseed vs wire localizations. Two hundred patients underwent Magseed-guided wide local excision between May 2018 and January 2020 across 2 district general hospital sites in North Wales. Histology: 69% IDC, 20% ILC, and 11% others. Mean preoperative size 12.3 mm, postoperative size 19 mm. Re-excision rate 15%. Re-excision for DCIS was significantly more likely than for invasive disease (p < 0.0001). A significant difference was also observed between radiological mean preoperative tumor size estimate and actual histological tumor size in patients undergoing margin re-excision (p = 0.000019). Wire-guided re-excision rate was 21% in the same unit. PROMs found the procedure well tolerated by patients.Surgeons and radiologists reported Magseed to be user-friendly with minimal learning curve. Magseed use for impalpable breast lesion localization is safe, user friendly, and well tolerated by patients. It produces favorable re-excision rates when compared to published figures for wire-guided excision. The presence of DCIS and preoperative radiological size underestimation was associated with margin re-excision.

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Aims Previous literature provides evidence that in patients with breast pain and a normal breast examination, the incidence of ipsilateral breast cancer is approximately equivalent to the screening incidence. Isolated breast pain is not an indication for a suspected cancer pathway referral as per NICE guidance. We assessed all breast clinic referrals in one month for use of the appropriate referral pathway for patients with isolated breast pain, and correct primary care management of breast pain. Methods GP referral letters and breast clinic letters were analysed retrospectively using an electronic clinical data system for all 173 patients referred to breast clinic in September 2021, of which, 47 patients satisfied eligibility criteria. Letters were assessed for urgency of referral and documentation of GP interventions for breast pain (bra fitting advice, simple oral analgesics and topical NSAIDs). Results 62% of patients presenting with isolated breast pain were referred under a USC or urgent referral pathway to breast clinic. Only one patient with breast pain as a symptom, had documented evidence of GP interventions for breast pain. Conclusions The majority of patients presenting with isolated breast pain were inappropriately referred under urgent pathways, potentially impeding capacity in breast clinic for patients that satisfied USC criteria. There was little evidence of GP interventions for breast pain which could negate need for a clinic appointment or alleviate symptoms in the interim. Further GP education could reduce inappropriate urgent referrals of patients with isolated breast pain and improve breast pain management.