Aging Silicone Breast Implants and Stage IV Dx

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SandiBeach57
SandiBeach57 Member Posts: 1,617
edited November 2020 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

My silicone breast implants are 11+ years old.

What are others doing to monitor the integrity of their older silicone implant(s)? Is your MO or breast surgeon advising on how to monitor?

If there is leakage proven by breast MRI, do you go flat or replace?

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2020

    I know this is a stage IV thread, but i think your question is pertinent to lots of us. Hope I'm not offending by addressing this specific issue. I'll be happy to delete if it's inappropriate.

    I have Allergan 410 gummy implants that are 9 years old. Haven't seen my BS in a long time. My MO wasn't very responsive, nor was my PS. After discussing with my OB/Gyn, I went back to the radiologist who found my first cancer. He did an ultrasound & breast MRI w/contrast in 2019 and recommended another ULS every 2 years just to monitor. If you have the cohesive gel silicone, it doesn't leak but can sort of break if I understand correctly.

    Personally I would plan to replace - but I expect that depends on age and my health & disease progression if/when that becomes necessary.

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  • SandiBeach57
    SandiBeach57 Member Posts: 1,617
    edited November 2020

    Thank you Minus Two for your response. Good job self advocating for yourself.

    My silicone implants are Smooth Round Profile gel.

    I was the one to contact my plastic surgeon to request a follow up appt to evaluate the condition of my implants. After physically examining the implants, my PS ordered a breast MRI with contrast.

    When you are stage IV, noncurative, terminal, you can easily get caught up with the "why bother" attitude. That was me..I put off colonoscopy, eye exams, mouth guards and monitoring my implants.

    I am 4 years out from liver mets dx and starting to realize that I am still alive and I still need to take care of my body.

    I addressed Stage IV women because of that mindset..we are so focused on staying alive that implant concerns are low priority. But no matter what stage, you might need to advocate for yourself if your MO, BS or PS have forgotten you in regards to your reconstructive breast surgery, especially if it has been a long time with no followup.

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  • Anotherone
    Anotherone Member Posts: 633
    edited November 2020

    no question for me- I would change.

    I did change 3 years ago as mine leaked , went into lymph nodes and had a capsule around it so it felt hard.

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  • lulubee
    lulubee Member Posts: 1,493
    edited November 2020

    Mine are 13 years old!

    The world-class PS who did my recon is no longer on my insurance plan so I have no idea what options I have at this point. I had lat flap surgery back when that was the going thing (2007) and I for sure don't want a lesser PS to mess with all the fancy stitchwork that is my bionic torso.

    My MO does a manual exam every other month, and I get CT scans pretty regularly. Reckon that's enough surveillance?

    Outliving my implants... never saw that coming!

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  • SandiBeach57
    SandiBeach57 Member Posts: 1,617
    edited November 2020

    Lulabee, that is how I feel..."outlived implants".

    My PS ordered a breast MRI with contrast that specifically checks the integrity of the implants and also for any leakages. You lie flat on your stomach face down with implants placed in slots so they are exposed..45 minutes. Reminded me of my breast biopsy days.

    My silicone implants are still fine and I am to follow up in 2 years. Hopefully, I will make that future appt.

    Maybe with this real world information, my PS and MO can reassure others similar to me who worry about aging implants with metastatic disease.

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  • Tina2
    Tina2 Member Posts: 2,943
    edited November 2020

    My teeny-tiny implants are 25 years old! They show as intact and stable on scans. Fingers crossed. Who needs any other hassles?

    Tina

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  • lulubee
    lulubee Member Posts: 1,493
    edited November 2020

    Tina & Sandi, that is SO reassuring to hear. Glad to know they can last a long time.

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