Implants are almost forty years old. I think I have saline. I felt a nodule in the left breast. This related to my implants?

Hi tavera14,

I understand your concern. However, it is difficult to provide you with an accurate answer to your question with online consult. It is best that you visit a board certified plastic surgeon, so you can be properly assessed. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  Any new nodule or breast mass should be worked up by your surgeon to ensure your safety.  It is unlikely that your implants are causing your other symptoms, but talk to your doctors and get an in-person examination of your tissues performed. 

I would be surprised if you had saline implants that had lasted for forty years.  While I have seen some of my dad's patients who have had silicone gel implants for forty years, I have not seen saline implants last that long.  I'm wondering if you actually have silicone gel implants and the nodule that you feel might be from silicone that has leaked from your implant.  You did not mention whether your implants were above or below the chest muscle or whether you have a capsular contracture (thickened scar tissue around the implants causing your breasts to feel firm or look distorted).  My first recommendation before undergoing a lot of expensive tests  would be to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can examine you and review your options with you.  If they are actually saline implants then you can leave them in place until they break.  If they are silicone gel implants then I would advise replacing them due to their age.  It is easier to remove silicone gel implants before they break rather than after.  Depending on it's location, the nodule could be removed during surgery or possibly under local anesthesia in the office.

Thank you for your questions. If you feel a nodule, it should be worked up completely. If it is not seen on mammogram, then you should proceed with ultrasound. If it is not found there but is palpable, it can be biopsied to make sure there is nothing of concern. Once that issue is resolved, you can then address the implants. An MRI is a good study to evaluate the implants, then you can talk with a plastic surgeon about your options. If you are happy with the implants and there is no evidence of problems with them, you may not need anything done at all.Hope this helps!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Thank you for your question.
It is important to have a physician examine you and likely you will need a mammogram as well. 
It could be your implant has hardened at that age. But, you do not want to risk an undiagnosed breast cancer.
See your physician. 
Best of luck.

You are getting yearly diagnostic mammograms, and additional tests have proved negative for autoimmune diseases, cancer, etc.  Scar tissue is sometimes difficult to detect with ultrasound, CT, MRI or any other diagnostic tests.  If necessary, the surgeon can examine the areas endoscopically.  Implants do not have to replaced until clinically indicated. 

Congrats on not having a rupture after 40 years.  Very unusual for saline implants.  If you were my patient, I would recommend removal of implants at the same time as the biopsy was done.  Since the implants are that old, and if you still want implants, have them replaced once healed, with the newer cohesive gel implants. Best to you.