Magseed for locating impalpable breast cancer lesions

The technology described in this briefing is Magseed. It is a localisation technique that uses magnetic markers to mark the site of a breast cancer lesion for surgical removal.

The innovative aspects are that it is more flexible and less intrusive than a wire guided procedure. Magseed is located using the Sentimag probe, meaning less extensive surgery.

The intended place in therapy would be as an alternative to current standard care for locating cancer lesions and helping guide surgeons in a breast lumpectomy for impalpable breast cancer. Magseed could also be used in the targeted axillary dissection, to mark lymph nodes before the neoadjuvant treatment.

The main points from the evidence summarised in this briefing are from 5 observational studies. These include 1,923 people who had localisation procedures, including 1,699 who had Magseed. Two studies were comparative, and re-excision rates were not significantly different between Magseed and wire guided procedures.

Key uncertainties around the evidence are there is no evidence from randomised controlled trials on Magseed. The evidence would benefit from well-controlled comparative studies to capture clinical benefits.

The cost of Magseed is estimated at £250 per Magseed. As an alternative intervention, the cost of the technology would be more than the cost of wire used in standard care. The company states that the cost of the wire guided localisation procedure is estimated to be between £35 and £50.