Should I have chip removed if I forego surgical excision biopsy?

Read comments on titanium chip implant.After 3 weeks am still sore and slightly bruised after needle core biopsy (and implant...stunned and done before I realized what had happened) diagnosed radial sclerosing papillary lesion containing florid duct hyperplasia. Had another cyst aspirated in same breast a week prior and this lump, non-palpable to breast specialist/surgeon at aspiration, appeared at follow up mammo/ultrasound screening. The specialist and radiologist recommend surgical excision. I'm not convinced because everything thus far has been benign. If I opt out of surgery I still have this chip which apparently can "float" within the tissue. I'd like it out because I think it's causing residual pain, literally all down my left side at times. Should I have excisional biopsy? If not, have the chip removed? My gut says that I don't have a malignancy and to follow up clinically for now. Am quite concerned about scarring since I am relatively flat chested and am apparently a candidate for lumpy breasts without concern. Just turned 50 and have only been having mammograms/sonograms for two years. Comments please. Thanks in advance.

[japdip]

First of all I can't imagine why you would even consider foregoing the Excisional biopsy. Just because things have been OK so far doesn't mean that everything will come back benign. I seriously doubt that the titanium chip is the cause of your discomfort; the core biopsy would most likely be the cause. A rather large needle is used for core samples and usually causes a fair amount of bruising and discomfort. Titanium chips are very often left in the breast forever and don't cause any problem. Either way (biopsy or chip removal) it's a surgery; so why not have the biopsy and ask the Surgeon to remove the chip at the same time ?? Keep in mind that they are often left in place for future reference. When it comes to cancer I think we need to rely on the Dr.s and their education and experience rather than our gut feelings. Clinical follow-ups are fine but they can't differentiate between malignant & benign.    Regards .....

[soreinnj]

Thank you for your reply. I see the surgeon on Thursday and will further discuss my diagnosis. It's reassuring to know that the soreness and bruising are most likely due to the core biopsy. I guess that I'm suspicious of a false positive or that my results were mixed up. O.K., I'm in denial but rest assured, I'm taking this seriously and am going  with my surgeon's advice. Have already filled out preliminary paperwork. Your feedback helps tremendously especially when I feel like I'm the only one that's been singled out. It's usually not the topic of conversation unless you've been there.  Will keep you posted.  

[braveheart2]

After my stereotactice core needle biopsy, I had continued soreness that seemed to worsen over the following weeks -- like you, I began to think the titanium clip might be part of the problem. Due to the presence of atypical cells, my MD recommended I have a wire-guided excisional biopsy and at that time he removed the wire, clip, and suspicious area. Instant relief! It turned out the clip was not the problem, but a deep hematoma that had formed in response to the original needle biopsy...he removed that too, at the same time of excisional biopsy.

Either way, talk to your surgeons, follow their recommendations, and get your excisional biopsy. I respect my gut feelings, but the only way to know for sure that all is well is to see the cells under the microscope. The scarring is minimal and fades with time, and in my case I notice no loss of breast tissue or change in the contour, size, or appearance of my breast after excision. Kind regards...