Wide local excision
Encyclopedia
A wide local excision is a surgical
procedure to remove a small area of diseased or problematic tissue with a margin of normal tissue. This procedure is commonly performed on the breast and to skin lesions, but can be used on any area of the body.
The tissue removed is examined under a microscope to confirm the type of lesion and to grade malignant tumours. This examination also determines if all of the lesion has been removed without leaving any behind.
The results of a WLE will determine any future treatments if needed.
aims to remove benign and malignant lesions while conserving the normal shape of the breast as much as possible. A WLE can only be used for lesions up to 4 cm in diameter, as removal of any larger lesions could leave a visibly dented area in the breast. The extent of excision is variable, ranging from lumpectomy
to quadrantectomy
. A larger excision would be categorised as a mastectomy
instead.
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
procedure to remove a small area of diseased or problematic tissue with a margin of normal tissue. This procedure is commonly performed on the breast and to skin lesions, but can be used on any area of the body.
The tissue removed is examined under a microscope to confirm the type of lesion and to grade malignant tumours. This examination also determines if all of the lesion has been removed without leaving any behind.
The results of a WLE will determine any future treatments if needed.
Wide Local Excision of the breast
A wide local excision of the breastBreast
The breast is the upper ventral region of the torso of a primate, in left and right sides, which in a female contains the mammary gland that secretes milk used to feed infants.Both men and women develop breasts from the same embryological tissues...
aims to remove benign and malignant lesions while conserving the normal shape of the breast as much as possible. A WLE can only be used for lesions up to 4 cm in diameter, as removal of any larger lesions could leave a visibly dented area in the breast. The extent of excision is variable, ranging from lumpectomy
Lumpectomy
Lumpectomy is a common surgical procedure designed to remove a discrete lump, usually a benign tumor or breast cancer, from an affected man or woman's breast...
to quadrantectomy
Quadrantectomy
Quadrantectomy is a surgical procedure in breast cancer surgery in which entire segment of the involved breast is removed along with axillary dissection and radiotherapy....
. A larger excision would be categorised as a mastectomy
Mastectomy
Mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely. Mastectomy is usually done to treat breast cancer; in some cases, women and some men believed to be at high risk of breast cancer have the operation prophylactically, that is, to prevent cancer...
instead.