Radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) for non-palpable breast cancer: A comparison between day-before and same-day protocols

BACKGROUND: Although radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) has become a widely accepted technique, the optimal time interval between the radioisotope injection and surgery has not yet been determined. AIM: To delineate the effects of time from the injection of the radionuclide until surgery on the ROLL success rate in a patient population diagnosed as having non-palpable breast cancer. METHODS: Between December 2004 and May 2009, 75 patients underwent ROLL procedure. The day-before protocol and same-day protocols included 50 and 25 breast cancer patients respectively. RESULTS: The two study groups were comparable in terms of age, localization technique, radiological findings and the type of surgical procedures (P > 0.05). No statistically significant difference was noticed in the pathological diagnosis, cancer size and the surgical margin clearance between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Same-day injection of the radiotracer was not superior to the day-before injection in ROLL. The day-before protocol can be scheduled for the convenience of both patients and hospital staff.