Many women who undergo a breast biopsy are left with a tiny titanium marker clip inside the breast – but surprisingly few are told much about it at the time. For some, it’s mentioned briefly during the procedure. Others only discover it later during a scan. So what exactly are these markers, why are they used, and do they stay in the breast permanently? And perhaps most importantly, are they safe?

What Are Titanium Markers and Why Are They Used?

During a breast biopsy, a tiny marker – most often made of titanium – is sometimes placed at the site where the tissue sample was taken. These markers are extremely small, usually just a few millimeters in size, and are designed to remain in the breast as a reference point.

Doctors use these markers for several practical reasons. If the biopsy shows an abnormality or cancer, the marker helps your surgeon accurately locate the area later, especially if the lump or suspicious tissue isn’t easy to see or feel. This can be particularly important when planning surgery or further treatment.

Markers can also be helpful for future imaging. On mammograms, ultrasounds, or MRIs, they show radiologists exactly where the biopsy was performed, making it easier to monitor the area over time or compare changes in the breast.

In many cases, the marker is placed as a routine part of the biopsy procedure and is intended to stay in the breast long term. However, how clearly this is explained – and whether women realize the marker has been left in place – can definitely vary.

I’ve heard a LOT of stories about this in my experience as a breast cancer coach.

Do Biopsy Markers Stay in the Breast Permanently?

In many cases, yes – biopsy markers are designed to stay in the breast long term. They are made from materials like titanium, which is widely used in medical settings because it is durable and generally well tolerated by the body – they call titanium biocompatible.

For women who go on to have surgery, such as a lumpectomy, the marker is often removed along with the surrounding tissue. However, this isn’t always the case. If the marker is not located within the area being removed, it may remain in the breast even after surgery.

For women who do not require surgery, the marker typically stays in place indefinitely. It continues to serve as a reference point for future imaging, helping radiologists identify the exact location of the original biopsy site.

What’s important to understand is that while these markers are commonly intended to remain in the body, not all women are aware of this. Some only discover the marker later during follow-up scans, or when it is mentioned in a report. This can come as a surprise, particularly if it wasn’t clearly explained at the time of the biopsy.

From what I’ve been told, that happens more often than you might think.

Are Titanium Markers Safe?

Titanium biopsy markers are generally considered safe and have been used for many years in breast imaging. Studies have found that complications are uncommon, and when they do occur, they tend to be minor – such as slight movement of the marker or, in rare cases, a local reaction in the surrounding tissue.

Titanium itself is widely used in medical implants because it is well tolerated by the body and doesn’t react with MRI scanners. That said, most of the available research is based on smaller studies and clinical experience rather than large long-term trials.

Not all markers are safe. While titanium markers are generally considered to be, some specific types of marker devices, such as the BioZorb marker, have not been shown to be safe. The BioZorb was recalled by the maker of the marker, Hologic Inc, in October 2024 after the FDA issued a Class 1 recall due to reports of serious adverse events associated with the device’s implantation in breast tissue. [1]

While serious problems with titanium markers appear to be pretty rare, some women have reported unexpected symptoms or concerns, such as a thickening of tissue in the area of the marker, or a slight feeling of itchiness occasionally.

All of this highlights the importance of clear communication and informed consent before these markers are placed into our bodies.

Can You Feel a Titanium Marker in the Breast?

In most cases, titanium biopsy markers are so small that they cannot be felt. They are placed within the breast tissue and are designed to be unnoticeable by the patient.

However, some women do report being aware of a sensation in the area where the biopsy was performed. This might include tenderness, sensitivity, or the feeling of a small firm spot, particularly in the weeks or months following the procedure.

It’s not always clear whether these sensations are caused by the marker itself or by normal healing changes in the tissue, such as inflammation or scar formation. In most cases, discomfort usually settles over time, but experiences can vary from person to person.

Can Titanium Markers Be Removed?

The routine practice is to leave titanium markers in place. Some are removed as a part of the surgery to remove a tumor, while some are left in situ. The medical system pretty much treats them as “set and forget” devices. There is no routine recommendation to remove them in most cases.

However, there are situations where markers may be removed. If a woman goes on to have surgery, such as a lumpectomy, excision, or mastectomy, the marker is often taken out along with the surrounding tissue.

In other cases, removal may be considered if the marker has moved, is causing discomfort, or in the rare event of a reaction. Be sure to check with your surgeon if this is happening to you.

What’s important to understand is that there are no standard recommendations to remove these markers if they are not causing problems. For many women, they simply remain in the breast indefinitely. Some women are okay with this, some are definitely not okay with it.

What Women Told Me About Their Experience

I took a little informal poll on my Facebook page last week and asked women about their experiences with biopsy markers. I never had to face this, it wasn’t being done in the part of the world where I lived back in 2004.

I got some very interesting responses. Some women were told the markers were being placed in their breast tissue, some were not told and only found out later during routine imaging.

Here are just some of the comments I received:

“They never told me they were there. I’ve had one mammogram since my lumpectomy in Jan 21 and the tech mentioned I have several. Not sure how many and they never asked or told me about them.” – Kimberly

“I had a lumpectomy and was never told whether it would stay or not. Completed active treatment 12/29/25. Felt something in the same side and lo and behold it is the scar tissue around the clip. First time I saw it was on the latest mammogram just last week. I don’t think I “feel” the clip but feel a hardness where it is.” – Patti

“I had a biopsy and was told they would place the marker. I had a double mastectomy so it was removed. I don’t remember if an explanation was given as to why it was placed but I see how it would be useful if a lumpectomy is performed.” – Kelly

“So I am assuming the biopsy clip you are talking about is the one I had the day before my lumpectomy. I loved my surgeon, she had gone through breast cancer previously which made any explanation she gave relatable. I was told it was to make sure she would get good margins when removing the cancer and I saw on a mammogram the day they put it in and it was not there on my follow-up mammogram after I had healed.” – Michelle

“When I was first told about the titanium clip, I asked to speak with a nurse about it, to learn more and discuss if it was required. After an extensive conversation I told the dr I did not want the clip placed, and she reluctantly agreed. Fast forward to the consult to discuss the malignant biopsy results, the Dr pulls up the x-ray and lo and behold, there’s the clip!! She stumbled over her words and mumbled something to the effect of – oh I must have forgotten about that. I ultimately got a second opinion – good thing I did as the first Dr didn’t do an MRI and there were two more spots deep behind the first – and did end up removing that breast anyways.” – Jennifer

“I had two placed during biopsy, told so that they could find the two tumors for surgery and during screening. I didn’t want them. They were removed during first surgery but the surgeon placed two more during my second surgery against my wishes. I can’t feel them, but wish they weren’t there.” – Merry

“I have 5 clips which are permanent. I was never told that they were there. I was surprised to see them on the first mammogram after surgery. I do not feel them, but I do wonder if they will set off the alarm at the airport. I guess I’ll have to keep a pic of the imaging on my phone.” – Teresa

“I had one after being informed every step of the way. It never bothered me and since the tumor was so small, the marker was an absolute necessity. It was removed during the surgery and never gave me any problems- I wouldn’t have known it was there if I hadn’t been told.” – Karin

“‘Butterfly’ marker placed after stereotactic biopsies three weeks ago (after six-month, post-lumpectomy appt showed ‘concerning microcalcifications’). First placement didn’t work, so tech had to remove and do again. Now, I feel like my body is trying to expel it, as hard bump that wasn’t there is now becoming a little more evident each day.” – Lou Lou

“I had one to indicate the tumour site so that they could identify the correct area of tissue to remove during the lumpectomy should the lesion have completely disappeared by the time of the surgery (which was the case). They used it as a guide when they inserted a thin piece of metal wire leading to the clip the day before the surgery and then they removed it during the surgery. It never bothered me – it was pretty deep so I couldn’t feel it.” – Louise

Some of these responses reveal a clear gap – not in the use of biopsy markers themselves, but in how they are communicated to patients. For some women, the marker was explained and expected. For others, it came as a complete surprise, discovered only later during imaging. That difference matters. Informed consent is not just about agreeing to a procedure, but truly understanding what will be done and what will remain in the body afterwards. Every woman deserves that level of clarity.

If you’re facing a breast biopsy, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor what will be done – and what, if anything, will remain afterwards.