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Mammogram on 25 year old gel implants

asked 7 months ago by Shenandoahgirl in Woodbridge, VA
Latest answer by Eric T. Emerson, MD
Question viewed 227 times
Tags: silicone implant, 20 years post-op, mammogram

My implants (made by Dow Corning) are over 25 (got them the beginning of 1986) years old and are silicone. I am scheduled for a mammogram in 2 weeks and am seriously considering cancelling. I am afraid the procedure might rupture my implants because they are so old. Is an ultrasound just as good?

13 answers to Mammogram on 25 year old gel implants

Breast Implants and Mammograms

Hello Shenandoahgirl, Based on statistics, your implants are already ruptured! Thats right, you are probably walking around right now with a ruptured implant(s). Don't worry, this is not a health risk. You should however entertain the idea of not only getting a mammogram to assess your breast tissue, but also a high definition ultrasound or MRI to assess the status of your breast implants. To answer your question though, mammograms have never definitively been... more

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

drminniti.com

Answer to RealSelf.com 25 year old Breast implants

Unfortunately, it is highly likely that one or both of your implants are already ruptured. While this is not an health risk, ruptures can lead to capsular contracture and other local problems with the tissue. I would recommend that you proceed with the scheduled mammogram. This may yield some information on your implants, but more importantly, it is necessary to evaluate for breast cancer. Of course, you could consider having an MRI, but this is expensive and (in... more

Eric T. Emerson, MD
Charlotte Plastic Surgeon

Mammogram, 25 year old silicone gel breast implants and implant rupture

Thank you for your question. I understand your fear of damaging your breast implants. Since your breast implants are 25 years old, it is very likely that your implants are already ruptured. The gel may sit silently inside the scar pocket that is surrounding your implant and not cause you any problem. If the gel ever gets outside the scar pocket, that is when you may notice a lump or a change in breast shape. You have some options. When you get your... more

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.mc.vanderbilt.edu

Possible rupture of old silicone implants

Ultrasound is not a good screening test for breast cancer. Mammograms and MRI's are much better. If your implant ruptured while getting a mammogram, it was on the verge of rupturing anyway. This whole discussion is probably a moot point. The implants you have are a 'low bleed' type. Meaning that silicone has already leaked through the shell so there is already free silicone in your implant pocket. There is a pretty good chance that one or both of your implants are already... more

James McMahan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Best Test for Breasts with 25 year old Breast Implants

The best test without a close second to look at the breast is the MRI. The MRI will show the earliest forms of cancer MUCH earlier before a mammogram and years before an ultrasound. It will show a breast implant leak MUCH better than a mammogram. In addition, it involves NO ionizing radiation (like a mammogram or CT) and will not compress the breasts the way a mammogram will. The reason we do not use more MRI is the cost. But when you consider the cost to you of a breast cancer or a... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Mammogram on 25 year old gel implants

MRI better choice in general. But you should discuss with a boarded PSs in your area in person. Best of luck.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Mammograms with older implants

First of all it is important to understand that your implants are likely ruptured already; may have been for years. When you first got your implants your body built a capsule of scar tissue around them. When an implant ruptures all or almost all of your silicone will be contained within it because your body does not break down silicone gel. This is why you wouldn't have noticed it and why we call it "silent rupture". You are not in any danger. A... more

Lori H. Saltz, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.ljcsc.com

Mammogram, MRI and Breast Implants

The breast can be screened for cancer using either a mammogram or an MRI. The MRI is more sensitive however due to its expense, it is rarely the first method of choice for breast cancer screening. However, the current FDA recommendations are for a screening MRI for all silicone implants after three years to detect a rupture. While this is sometimes overkill for implants that are new and asymptomatic I would strongly recommend an MRI to anyone with implants that have been in... more

Adam Hamawy, MD
Westchester Plastic Surgeon

Mammogram, mri, ultrasound and old silicone implants after breast aug

Implants this old probably need replacing. an MRI scan is the best choice at this time to look at the implants and breast tissue. You need to look at your breast tissue.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

25 yo gel implants and mammography

The durability of gel implants has changed dramatically for the better over the last ten years. Your 25 yo implants may be fragile and subject to rupture with standard mammography. Request an MRI exam which is a good screening tool for detecting breast cancer and determining the integrity of the gel implants. An ultrasound exam is not a good option. Your insurance may not cover the cost of an MRI -but it is worth the effort to request the exam.

Joseph N. Togba, MD
Oakland Plastic Surgeon

Mammograms and Older Silicone Gel Implants

Dear Shenandoahgirl, From your question, it appears that this is your first mammogram. It is very common for patients with implants to have worries about the mammogram damaging their implants but the chances of this occurring are very low. If a ruptured implant is found, it is more likely that the implant has ruptured in the past-a silent rupture-and is just now being discovered. Ultrasound is not a primary screening technique for detecting breast cancer. A MRI... more

Herluf G. Lund, Jr, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

Mammograms and silicone implants

1. Although it may be possible for mammography to cause implant rupture, it is rare. 2. Ultrasound is not as sensitive in screening for breast cancer. 3. One good alternative to mammography is breast MRI, which may or may not be covered by your insurance plan. 4. I definitely urge you to make sure that you undergo either mammography or an MRI because missing a breast cancer could have serious consequences. And dealing with a... more

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Mammograms and Older Implants

Thank you for the question. Unfortunately, ultrasound examination is not a breast cancer screening examination. Given your concerns you may want to inquire about the possibility of a breast MRI which may be able to be done instead of the mammogram. The MRI Will also be helpful to evaluate the integrity of the older silicone gel implants. Whatever form of radiography you do decide to proceed with it is important to have some type of breast cancer... more