Breast Implants: Q&A
Ask a Question
Can Leaking Saline Breast Implants Cause Lumps?
It doesn't seem possible but my breast implants are 28 years old! I know they have leaked (saline), and now they are uncomfortable when I'm lying down. Also, it might've caused this hard lump that I've had for many years. It's probably not cancer because I should've been dead from it. Got no insurance or money to take care of it, darn it. Can this be a hardened saline deposit? And what should I do about it?
Tags:
17 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Amy Martin
in Irvine, CA
+3
You should never assume any hard lumps in the breasts...
You should never assume any hard lumps in the breasts are from implants and not evaluate them properly. This is true for silicone or saline. You should go to UC Irvine and have them check on you please.
+2
Breast Lump Demands Attention!
If you have a lump in your breast, it MUST be evaluated by a physician, as soon as possible!
Saline does not leave deposits that can harden or form a lump.
A deflated implant can feel like a lump, but it would be a mistake to blame the lump on the implant without proper evaluation.
+2
I agree with Dr Rand
Amy,
There are ways that you can have this lump evaluated with an exam and mammogram. October is breast cancer awareness month and you should seek out a mammography center offering power costs mammograms at the least. As stated previously you should not write off a breast bump or lump as being due to the implant. If a saline implant is deflated, you can feel the shell through thin tissue but the resulting feeling is not typically described as a "hard lump".
Michael C. Edwards, MD, FACS
more
You might also like...
Real Stories
Breast Augmentation In Tijuana B.C Mexico HELP!! - Mexico, MX
Hello everyone. Im 21 and have a son whos 4 and to all you ladies that have had children,...
+1
All Breast Lumps Must be Evaluated.
All lumps need to be checked to make sure that it is not a malignancy. There are free clinics if no other resource is available to you. In your area you can check out the SOS clinic or consider UCI. Either way you should see about what is the cause of your lump and at the same time consider removal of your deflated implants.
+1
Breast mass and silicone or saline implants
All breast abnormalities demand examination and management. I would seek the advice of a surgeon who can do a competent breast examination and evaluation.
+1
A deflated saline implant can cause a lump but not within the breast tissue.
A saline implant can cause a palpable lump if it deflates. The saline is completely removed by the body and has no participation in this. The silicone shell is folded and forms the lump. Nevertheless, it could be mistaken for another problem and you should have this looked after insurance or not.
+1
Implants and lumps
Any hard lump in the breast should be evaluated by a physician immediately! A leaking saline implant will not cause a lump as the saline (salt water) will be absorbed by your body as it leaks out. A leaking silicone implant, on the other hand, could potentially lead to a lump if a silicone granuloma forms. It is possible to feel the shell of the implant, which can be firm in texture, especially after leakage. Also, capsular contracture around the implant can cause...
more
+1
Breast lump from leaking saline implants
It may be that the "lump" you feel is actually the implant shell, which becomes irregular as the implant deflates. Regardless of our guesses, you need to see a plastic surgeon who can do a thorough evaluation and treatment.
+1
Breast implants do not increase your risk for cancer.
Breast implants do not increase your risk for cancer -- but it is still very possible to get breast cancer. No, saline implants do not cause lumps. The discomfort you are describing may be due to capsular contracture or hardening of the scar tissue.
If you have an abnormal lump it MUST be evaluated by a physician. Even without insurance there are many options for low-cost or no-cost cancer screenings and treatment.
SEE A DOCTOR TO CHECK THE LUMP.
more
+1
You need to have your doctor evaluate this lump!
Amy~
A leaking saline implant does not cause lumps. In fact, the saline is harmlessly absorbed by your body over time in the case of a gradual implant deflation. The firmness that you feel in your breast could be related to thickening of the scar (capsule) around the implant but the fact that you feel a lump is VERY concerning!
Any lumps felt in the breast (or elsewhere) should be evaluated by a medical professional. I suggest that you seek medical attention and...
more
Comments (0)