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SEER Inquiry System - Report
Produced: 11/19/2024 2:34 PM
Question 20160029
Inquiry Details
References:
#1: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/40441911_Current_status_of_radioactive_seed_localization_of_non_palpable_breast_lesions
#2: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20000116/radioactive-seeds-may-offer-treatment-option-for-breast-cancer
Question:
Radiation Therapy--Breast: Are iodine 125 (I-125) seed implants for breast cancer coded as brachytherapy or as a localization technique similar to wire localization? See Discussion.
Discussion:
We are seeing many I-125 seed implants for breast cancer. Many of my associates are coding them as brachytherapy. I think they are the newest of the localization technique like wire localization but with greater accuracy. Most are done the same day as the surgery so brachytherapy does not make sense. Which is correct?
Answer:
I-125 seeds could be used for brachytherapy for breast cancer or as a localization technique for nonpalpable breast tumors. If the seeds were in place a short time and removed as part of a breast surgical procedure, they were likely used for tumor localization. Radioactive seed localization (RSL) is thought to be more precise than the wire implantation technique for localizing lesions.
