1 in 5 Women
One in five women who undergo breast-conserving surgery, sometimes referred to as a lumpectomy, due to a breast cancer diagnosis, will be called back for a second surgery or re-excision, due to positive margins1. In fact, some studies show that this rate of re-excision could even be as high as 90% in some centers.
So what is a positive margin?
The goal at the end of surgery is to have negative margins, meaning the surgeon removed all of the cancer in the initial surgery. However, many patients (1 in 5 on average) are told that, after-surgery, the final pathology report indicated that the specimen removed was found to have positive margins. This means that not all the cancer was removed during the initial surgery, and that the patient will need to come back in for a second surgery to complete the operation.
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What is The MOZART® System?
3D Mammography for Your Surgery
When used in the OR during breast-conserving surgery, the MOZART System uses 3D imaging technology to give your surgeon a more detailed view of your cancer. This technology enables your surgeon to see if all the cancer is removed before finishing the operation. This is how the MOZART System helps the surgeon avoid that second surgery.
Consider the MOZART System as 3D Mammography for the Operating Room.
Studies Show The MOZART System Improves Surgical Outcomes
“The use of The MOZART System decreased re‑excision rates by more than half.”2
Why Is This Important? The Cost of Re‑excisions

Patients who have a re‑excision are 2‑8x more likely to have their cancer come back at a later date4.

Patients who have a re‑excision are 2x more likely to experience surgical infections5.

Patients who have a re‑excision are 49% more likely to experience surgical complications5.

Patients who have a re‑excision are more likely to experience a decrease in satisfaction with their surgery6.
Breast Cancer Information for Surgery
About 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime
Learn more at breastcancer.org
2,620 Men in the united states will be diagnosed with breast cancer
Learn more at cancer.net
The Left Breast is 5‑10% More Likely to Develop Cancer Than The Right Breast
Learn more at roche.com
80% of Breast Cancer Diagnoses Require Breast-Conserving Surgery
Learn more at breastcancer.org
Breast cancer surgery includes different procedures, such as:
- Removal of the entire breast (mastectomy)
- Removal of a portion of the breast tissue (lumpectomy)
- Removal of nearby lymph nodes
- Reconstruction of a breast after mastectomy
What Surgeons Say About The MOZART System
Peter Blumencranz, MD, FACS
Medical Director
The Comprehensive Breast Care Center of Tampa Bay
Andrea Madrigrano, MD
Breast Cancer Surgeon
Rush University Surgeons
Cary Kaufman, MD, FACS
Medical Director
Bellingham Regional Breast Center
Michael Alvarado, MD
Professor of Surgery
Director, Breast Surgery Fellowship
University of California San Francisco
Michele Blackwood, MD, FACS
Director of Breast Surgery
RWJ Barnabas Health
The MOZART System in the News
Find A MOZART System
Enter your information below and we will send you the nearest hospitals with a MOZART System in their Breast Cancer Surgery Center.
#Fearless Fridays Stories
Michelle Beck’s Story
Family history can have a serious impact on what happens in your life.
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Dr Sheri Prentiss’ Story
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Emily Garnett’s Story
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Katie Hess’ Story
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Tara Dunsmore ‘s Story
Making the best of a horrible situation is difficult, but ultimately leads to a new-found purpose and peace.
April Doyle’s Story
The most gut-wrenching, heartbreaking words that somebody could hear are, “You have cancer.” There is a sense of panic and fear that sweeps over the person because they no longer know what the future holds.
Abigail Johnston’s Story
One day can change a life forever. In January 2017, at age 38, Abigail Johnston noticed a lump in her left breast.
Holly Bertone’s Story
What a strange feeling it must be to hear the words “you have breast cancer”, only to be followed by “Will you marry me?” forty-eight hours later.
Jen Hoverstad’s Story
Jen, a devoted mother of two was diagnosed with aggressive Stage III breast cancer at only age 34. Her official diagnosis report listed Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, HER2+ with one lymph node affected.
References
- Kaczmarski K, Wang P, Gilmore R, et al. Surgeon re-excision rates after breast-conserving surgery: a measure of low-value care. J Am Coll Surg 2019; 28(4): 504-512
- Natalia Partain, MD, et al. Differences in Re-excision Rates for Breast-Conserving Surgery Using Intraoperative 2D Versus 3D Tomosynthesis Specimen Radiograph. Ann Surg Oncol 2020: Published online Aug 01, 2020
- Ko Un Park, MD, et al. Digital Breast Tomosynthesis for Intraoperative Margin Assessment during Breast-Conserving Surgery. Ann Surg Oncol 2019:26:1720-28.
- André Hennigs, MD, et al. Do Patients After Reexcision Due to Involved or Close Margins Have the Same Risk of Local Recurrence as Those After One-Step Breast-Conserving Surgery? Ann Surg Oncol Jun. 23, 2016
- Metcalfe, L N. et al. Beyond the Margins: Economic Costs and Complications Associated With Repeated Breast-Conserving Surgeries. JAMA Surg. Aug. 2, 2017.
- Fuzesi S et al. Satisfaction with Breast-Conserving Therapy After Re-excision: A Study Using the Breast-Q, A Patient Reported Outcomes Measure in Breast Surgery. SSO 2018