May need biopsy with implants..HELP!

I have just undergone a series of tests which began with a routine mammogram which was negative, an ultrasound which revealed a cyst in the left breast and NO abnormalities at all in the right breast.

However, a week later when I had a breast MRI to check for ruptured silicone implants (they hadn't ruptured and are fine) apparently something "nodular"and "irregular" lit up in the upper outer quadrant of my right breast. The radiologist suggests a biopsy.

Question....I have an appointment with a breast specialist next week, and even though she feels it is probably a false positive, I think we are going to proceed with a biopsy or aspiration of some sort.

Can this safely be done with implants in place? Without the biopsy needle rupturing the implant?
I've heard it can be done easily by a qualiifed breast surgeon, which mine is, but just wanted reassurance.

Thanks,
Anne

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Anne, The position of the area to be biopsied would be taken into account and the implant would be avoided.  As you said have a qualified breast surgeon evaluate and do the procedure.

[surgeon]

there are ways other than needle-poking to do a biopsy. the short answer is yes, it's possible and safe to do a breast biopsy with implants. It's done all the time. There is some very slight risk of rupture. The difficulty comes in deciding the significance of something that shows on MRI but not xray or sonogram: how likely is it to be something? How will it be possible to be sure one is locating it at the time of surgery? If it's feelable, it's a piece of cake. If it's only visible on MRI and locatable in no other way, it's more difficult. Unless the MRI image is really worrisome (it's still an evolving field, with less track record of interpretation of findings), it might well be reasonable to simply wait a bit and repeat the study.

[eurodrmz]

Hi Annie,
I have had a fine needle biopsy and a core needle biopsy in the past 2 weeks both with guided ultrasound since I have implants.  It is very important that you have someone who has done several of them and who feels comfortable doing them especially if your tumor/mass is close to the implant as mine just happens to be.

Take care,
Rose