Titanium Chip

When I had a core biopsy done a few weeks  ago my breast surgeon told me he was putting in a titanium chip.
After my surgery to take out the Fibradenoma it slipped my mind to ask if he took it out.

Does anyone know if its usually taken out or left in? And if it is left in why?

[iam1butterfly]

I also have one.
Those tiny titanium chips remain as a permanent marker that indicates the location
site of the biopsy. And, it'll always show-up as a comparative reference in future mammograms.

[Lisi251]

Even after the fibroadenoma was taken out?

[iam1butterfly]

Yes... even though it was removed, it's a way to track where atypical activity occurred.

[kksmom3]

After my lumpectomy to remove my fibroadenoma I asked if my clip was taken out.  They said it was.  I don't really understand how it could be left in, when it was to mark the tissue that they wanted to remove.  They also used needle localization on me right before the surgery  during mammography to be sure of the right area.  

I guess my next mammogram next July will tell me for sure.

I don't know, maybe it just varies from person to person.  I have been playing phone tag with them as I want a copy of my path report.  I will try to ask again about my clip.  I'll let you know what they say....

[RadiologyInstructor]

Hi Lisa, I have done mammograms for 20 plus years besides teaching radiology. Some times the clip (which cause no problem, can't be felt, not will set off alarms at the airport nor in MRI machines) will "travel" and not be in the fibroadenoma, then it will show up in your 6 month f/u photo shoot! Most of the time though, if they removed the entire fibroadenoma and the cliip was correctly deployed to this area it will be removed. Sometimes the clip isn't exactly where they biopsied either, thats why they do f/u pictures at the time of the stereobiopsy and 6 months later.

[Lisi251]

To kksmom3 , iam1butterfly&Radiology instructor-

Thank you all, i decided to call my breast surgeons office the nurse spoke with him
& he confirmed he did remove it.

Question to kksmom3- what size fibroadenoma did you have removed?

[kksmom3]

HI, I asked that too and he said it was an inch and half long.  I was a bit shocked as I had no idea it was that large.  They had been watching it for a year and it suddenly grew bigger, so then I had a core needle biopsy, and then the lumpectomy.  I'd had a repeat mammogram after 3 mos. and then again after 9 mos, in which the ball started rolling then.

I did call and ask for my path reports, I just want them because I like to research these terms and things myself.  Plus, it is just nice to see the word Non-Malignant, written on there.

Plus, yes, they reconfirmed that the clip is out.    My surgery was 3 weeks ago tomorrow and I am doing pretty well.  Week 2 kinda scared me because week 2 was not that good.  I still have a ways to go, the area is still a little tender around the nipple, but nothing like it was!!  Every few days, I notice big improvement.  I sure wish my surgeon would've told me about some of this.  I mentioned that in a survey I completed for the hospital.  I would still go back to him, I still think he did a great job, but they should've told me more about recovery.  I even asked.  Oh well, not a big deal.  Forums like this are great because you can talk to women who have gone thru the same things.

Anyway, how are you doing??? I hope you are feeling much better by now also.  What are you to do now?  I am supposed to be able to go back to yearly mammograms now, they said.  How about you??  Thanks so much for all your help.

[Lisi251]

How strange we both had surgery on the very same day!!! I am feeling much
better now to.I do still have pain around the nipple area but its mild.

My incision was around my areola so i guess that is to be expected.
I need now to go back to my reg-Dr. to find out when to do my next mammo.

My surgeon gave me my pathology report as soon as it came in at my follow
up appointment. I hope you get yours soon.
Your right to see it on paper helps so much after all we have been through.
I live in California what state do you live in?
Keep in touch -Thanks so much

[kksmom3]

Hi, I now have the path reports.  I guess I go back in a year for a regular mammogram.  It was basically fibrocystic disease with calcifications

I live in Iowa.  My incision is 2 inches long running up and down along the outer side of my breast.  It's about an inch away from the nipple, but that is where the pain is still, altho, thankfully, like yours, it is very mild now.  I know there are a lot of nerves in the nipple area and I'm sure they are irritated and still bruised a little still, so that is why.  I am glad we have both gotten better!!

I would be interested to hear when they want you back for your next mammo.  Take care and yes, let's do keep in touch!!