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Stork's avatar
Stork
Member
3 years ago

Metal staples in breast

In June 2017 I was diagnosed with right side breast cancer at the time I had a lumpectomy and 15 doses of radiation 
for the past 5 years I have a mammogram and a ultrasound done I was told everything was fine and no problem 
Yesterday I went to the clinic to have the two tests done when I was having my mammogram the technician told me I had  4 metal staples in my breast 3 in a row 1 below further down in the breast I had no idea they were there I saw the images 
I have had MRIS done at the time I was asked if I had metal on my body I said no fortunately ,no damage done
I will be seeing my GP next week I will be asking questions 
Any advice or feedback 
Regards Stork



  • Sorry @AllyJay if the LOL emoji is inappropriate! I didn't realise till two years later that I had a boob full of staples too. And a seroma that never goes away, but doesn't bother me at all. @Stork , I will be interested to hear any information you gather about the staples and MRI's/ X rays.
  • I had Titanium clips used to seal off blood vessels after my bilateral mastectomy. I also had no idea they were there until I had a chest X ray of my shoulder, which showed a whole lot of them. They looked like grains of rice. When I asked my surgeon at my next check up why I hadn't been told, the cheeky so and so said she didn't feel it was necessary as they are routinely used and are quite safe for MRI tests as they are not magnetic. When I said that I would still like to have known about them she added "Well I didn't tell you what size scalpel I used, or what sutures were used..." I was not impressed. X ray showing some of them.
  • Hi @Stork, They usual put in metal radiological markers when they do a biopsy or surgery, so that they have a mark as to where the breast cancer was originally. I have them from my initial biopsy but subsequently has a mastectomy. From memory, it is ok to have a MRI with these metal staples. But probably worth mentioning if you have another MRI. Cheers