Metal Flakes Found in Oil Filter

[ubii]

I recently changed the oil in my 1997 986 with 67K miles after about 5K miles and discovered several tiny flat metal flakes in the oil filter. The attached photo, shows most the larger flakes that I was able to pull out of the filter, using a magnet. There were about a dozen or so smaller flakes, that were much smaller, which I did not bother to include in the photo. Unfortunately, I did not think to check my last filter as thoroughly as I did this one, but do not remember seeing any metal fakes. I did not find any other debris in this filter, besides these tiny metal flakes.

My question is, how concerned should I be by this discovery? Is this a possible indication of an impending IMS failure or something less severe? Should I drop the sump to look for any additional debris? Is it safe to drive or should I just pony up and replace the IMS, as well as the clutch and RMS, while I am at it?