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Why so many titanium clips?

Posted by alpine7 @alpine7, Sep 20, 2021

I have already had one biopsy of the L breast with the insertion of a titanium clip. The diagnosis was atypical ductal hyperplasia. Now after a MRI and second ultrasound I have been referred to have two more biopsies one of a lymph node which I was told has an irregular shape and another small spot in the L breast. My doctor had planned to do a surgical biopsy/lumpectomy of the first area with the clip before I had the second ultrasound. When I asked if the clip that had been placed in that area would be removed at the time of the surgery she said yes but that that she would need to place probably six more in the area after the lumpectomy was completed. Now I am being told by radiology they want two more clips in the other two areas which are being biopsied. So we are talking 8 clips minimum. I am very uncomfortable with all this. Does this plan sound like the standard of care to everyone here?

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Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 20, 2021

I didn’t find any references to that many clips in one person. But placing them is standard of care for breast biopsy. Also I found that a reaction to them was very rare. I am not understanding why she wants to place 6 in one biopsy site. Did you ask her about this?

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1 reply
alpine7 | @alpine7 | Sep 22, 2021
In reply to @auntieoakley "I didn’t find any references to that many clips in one person. But placing them is..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

I didn’t find any references to that many clips in one person. But placing them is standard of care for breast biopsy. Also I found that a reaction to them was very rare. I am not understanding why she wants to place 6 in one biopsy site. Did you ask her about this?

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Thank you Chris for your response. I apologize for the delay responding. Yes I believe the conversation was something like, "Six! Why would I need so many?" Of course I don't remember word for word but I believe the response was. they need to mark the area clearly in case of a cancer diagnosis and additional surgery becoming necessary.

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Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 22, 2021
In reply to @alpine7 "Thank you Chris for your response. I apologize for the delay responding. Yes I believe the..." + (show)
@alpine7

Thank you Chris for your response. I apologize for the delay responding. Yes I believe the conversation was something like, "Six! Why would I need so many?" Of course I don't remember word for word but I believe the response was. they need to mark the area clearly in case of a cancer diagnosis and additional surgery becoming necessary.

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I guess it sounds reasonable, I am not a surgeon. I did not find a single reference of this in my search of clips. The consolation is of course that a reaction to the metal is very rare.

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1 reply
alpine7 | @alpine7 | Sep 23, 2021
In reply to @auntieoakley "I guess it sounds reasonable, I am not a surgeon. I did not find a single..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

I guess it sounds reasonable, I am not a surgeon. I did not find a single reference of this in my search of clips. The consolation is of course that a reaction to the metal is very rare.

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Thank you Chris. I am trying to get into another specialist for a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic. So will let you know as I learn anything new. Thank you for being there for us!

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