Is it safe to have fine needle biopsy on a silicone filled cyst? Recently had explant implant was leaking silicone.

Question

I recently had an explant and one of my implants was leaking so silicone spread into my breast. The doctor found what looks like an inch long silicone filled cyst in my breast. She wants me to have it tested with a fine needle biopsy . Is this safe to do? My fear is that if they poke a needle into this cyst isn’t the silicon going to spread out from it again? I'm kind of happy that it's collected in one place and I'd rather have this cyst or granuloma removed surgically so it doesn't spread out.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

My recommendation would be to remove the silicone filled cyst.  Contact the PS who performed your implantation surgery to determine if the implants have a warranty, which will defray costs.  Most implant companies warranty breast implants for 10 years.
Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Susan Kolb, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

It is a very bad idea to aspirate any silicone from the breast as it is very thick and does not aspirate and may get into the blood stream where it can spread and clog arteries.  If you have retained silicone in the breast, you need a breast and chest wall clean out, including removal of any axillary silicone laden lymph nodes as well as detoxification and treatment of any co infections such as yeast which cause fatigue, muscle aches and mental clouding.  Peer reviewed literature has linked fibromyalgia and other adjuvant disease to silicone but most plastic surgeons have not read this literature.

Is it safe to have fine needle biopsy on a silicone filled cyst? Recently had explant implant was leaking silicone.

Answers (2)