One Clip Vs. Two Clips to Mark Tumor

My oncologist sent me to a breast center to have clip put in my tumor as I am having chemotherapy before surgery to shrink tumor. Radiologist told me the order form for procedure was unclear in regard to whether it should be one clip or two clips put in tumor. She said "I'll put in two clips to be on the safe side". I said "I don't want two clips unless oncologist specified that" and oncologist was unreachable. Are two clips necessary for a 3 cm tumor? Or is one clip enough? What are advantages to putting in two clips? Any disadvantages? The object is to mark tumor shrinkage so surgeon can find margins. Confused?

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear cupcake2, As the clips are being inserted to mark the location prior to chemotherapy, prior to surgery - one may be enough to mark the location.  However, there is no harm to having two clips placed as help in locating the area of tumor after chemotherapy.

[surgeon]

to find margins would actually take more than two clips. Surgeons place clips after lumpectomy so the radiation can be aimed accurately, and in that case we place at least four typically. If it's being placed prior to treatment, presumably it's for the possibility it could shrink enough that it might be hard to localize by a radiololgist asked to place a wire into the area for the surgeon to follow in performing a lumpectomy. In that case, one might be considered enough. The margins taken by the  surgeon will be based mostly on surgical consideration at the time of the operation, and no matter how many clips are placed, will need to be confirmed by microscopic evaluation. I'm assuming the placing of the clips or clip is for the radiologist who might be placing a wire in the furture. In which case the number ought to be up to the radiologist. There's no harm in having more than one, other than the extra time and discomfort, neither of which ought to be very much.