The truth about breast implant-related cancer risk | Cancer | UT Southwestern Medical Center (2024)

FAQs

What is the truth about breast implant illness? ›

The researchers found that the women with silicone gel-filled breast implants were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with autoimmune or rheumatic disorders, such as Sjögren syndrome, systemic sclerosis, and sarcoidosis, compared with women without breast implants of a similar age and socioeconomic status.

Breast implants don't cause breast cancer. They don't raise your chances of breast cancer, either. But research does show that women with breast implants have a higher chance of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL).

Know the Long-Term Risks of Breast Implants

Breast implants have either smooth or textured surfaces (shells). BIA-ALCL develops more frequently in patients with textured implants than in those with smooth-surfaced implants. Like other lymphomas, BIA-ALCL is a cancer of the immune system and not of breast tissue.

The FDA is aware of 19 cases of SCC in the capsule around the breast implant from published literature. There have been reports in the literature of deaths from progression of the disease.

Breast implant illness (BII) is a serious condition with several side effects (including physical pain and memory fog) that affect some women with breast implants. Unfortunately, not everyone, including many plastic surgeons and doctors, believes that it is real. Even so, many women are experiencing real problems.

Previously reported prevalence rates of BII-like symptoms include postoperative rheumatic symptoms in 37.4% of cases,²¹ the development of a pattern of systemic complaints in more than 65% cases,²² and 3 or more BII symptoms in 38.5% to 84.7% of women with breast implants.

Both saline and silicone breast implants are considered safe. Research on how safe both types of implants are and how well they work is ongoing.

On average, today's implants are designed to last more than a decade, with the chance of rupture increasing by one percent each year. So, the older your implants are, the greater your risk of rupture or other complications. In many cases, breast implants can remain in good shape for 20 years or more.

Affected patients typically experience some combination of fatigue, myalgia, joint pain, sicca syndrome (dry eyes and mouth), synovitis, rash, alopecia, muscular weakness or lymphadenopathy, and autoantibody formation.

Understanding the Recall of Allergan Breast Implants

The recall was the result of a request by the FDA after the federal agency had linked the breast implants to the risk of developing BIA-ALCL. Women who have been affected by the recall of Allergan breast implants might have options for compensation.

What is the new technology for breast implants? ›

In simple terms, scientists use a 3D printer to create a scaffold that looks like an intricately woven breast implant. It's made from the same material used for dissolvable stitches. Surgeons insert the scaffold into the breast area and inject it with the patient's own fat.

The “Black Box” warnings have to do with two issues: the link between textured implants and an immune system cancer that can develop in the scar tissue capsule that forms around breast implants and the possibility that breast implants can cause systemic symptoms in patients.

Breast implants from reputable and established manufacturers that have been approved by regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are considered safe.

While implants may have different filler materials, all implants have a silicone shell, meaning that any woman with implants will be exposed to silicone to some degree. If a silicone-filled implant ruptures or leaks, a woman is even more likely to end up with symptoms of BIL.

If you have breast implants of any type, whether they're silicone, saline, textured or smooth, you could be at risk for BII. This is because saline implants have a silicone shell and silicone can serve as a chronic stimulator of the immune system.

If implants are removed without replacement, there is often a breast volume and skin mismatch causing breast droopiness or “ptosis.” Due to this fact, for those interested in breast implant removal without replacement, their breasts may not look the same as they did before undergoing breast augmentation.

More than 100 symptoms have been associated with breast implant illness, including headaches, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems. Symptoms can occur with any type of breast implants and can start immediately after implantation or years later.

There is currently no way to diagnose breast implant illness. We can only rule out other inflammatory conditions with similar symptoms, such as Lyme disease or MS, and remove the implants to see if this relieves symptoms for the patient.

The average cost of breast implant removal surgery is $3,049, according to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This average cost is only part of the total price – it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses.

Should I be worried about breast implant illness? ›

Breast implant illness is rare and should not cause concern in women who have implants and feel fine. Currently, an estimated 50 million women worldwide have breast implants and about 300,000 women choose to have breast augmentation each year in the United States alone. Most do not develop any concerning symptoms.

If you're worried that your immune system could react to the implant and reject it, this won't happen. It's vital to know if you consider breast augmentation that modern implants are approved by the FDA and safe. This means there will never be a rejection or immune system reaction when the implants are put in the body.

Submuscular Implant Placement. By placing your implant under the chest muscle, Dr. Armijo can significantly lower your risk of capsular contracture. If you choose completely submuscular placement, you'll only face a 4 to 8% lifetime risk of capsular contracture.

After 10 years of an initial breast augmentation, 1 out of 5 patients need some sort of revision procedure. That means 20% of patients need another operation due to excess scarring inside the breast (capsular contracture), broken implant etc. That also means that 80% of the patients are doing fine at 10 years.

Breast implants don't last a lifetime. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends that people with breast implants have them removed or replaced every 10 to 15 years. However, your plastic surgeon may not recommend that you have them removed if you haven't had any complications.

Your physician must believe that removing your implants is medically necessary and be able to convince your insurer that their removal is medically necessary. This means that there is a medical reason for removing them that by doing so, will improve your health or will cure a condition the implants caused.

An imaging test, such as an MRI or ultrasound, can show whether the implant has ruptured. If you have a silent rupture — one that's not causing signs or symptoms — your plastic surgeon will explain possible treatment options.

“Our experience shows that breast implants make it difficult to see the heart with echocardiography because ultrasound cannot penetrate through the implant,” said lead author Dr Sok-Sithikun Bun, a cardiologist at Princess Grace Hospital, Monaco.

Breast Implants Boost Your Self-Esteem and Confidence

One of the greatest reasons why getting breast implants is worth it is the boost in self-confidence patients get following the procedure. Many women who come in for breast implants are incredibly self-conscious about the size and shape of their breasts.

What is the lawsuit breast implant illness? ›

For instance, many patients developed a form of cancer known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma. In some instances, this disease can be fatal. As a result of these faulty breast implants, a class action lawsuit in the 1990s resulted in a $4 billion settlement.

Allergan Recall Overview

The recall was requested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after the agency found that the implants have been linked to a form of cancer called breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

Gummy bear implants are believed to be more durable and might last longer than alternatives. Still, this durability comes at a cost, as gummy bear implants are more expensive than their other silicone- and saline-based counterparts. They also aren't risk-free so it's important to find an experienced, reputable surgeon.

Round implants are most common and they offer excellent fullness and lift; they're round and symmetrical.

Inframammary Incision

This incision is the most versatile and all types of breast implants can be inserted through this incision. It offers optimal visualization when performing breast augmentation.

Use the Right Silicone Implant Material

Women seeking a more natural appearance often opt for silicone since the material feels more like natural breast tissue. Silicone teardrop implants aren't round like standard implants. Instead, they have a sloped contour and texture that mimics the shape of natural breasts.

This was thought to be caused by influx of iodine into the implant. Kaali et al. hypothesize that the microorganisms in the biofilm could be responsible for the discoloration of the polymer surface by causing lipophilic pigments to diffuse into the silicone envelope.

In 1992, the FDA banned the cosmetic use of silicone breast implants, according to the Washington Post, “after many women who had received them reported pain, deformity and serious illness caused when the implants ruptured or leaked.

Real breasts are shaped more like pears — fuller at the bottom — than like melons. Many implants have an even distribution of silicon. There are typically four places that plastic surgeons use for access. Scars can be seen above the belly button, under the breasts, around the nipples or the armpits.

The biggest risk associated with older implants is rupturing. Over time, the implants can become weakened and become more prone to rupturing or leaking. Luckily, today's implants are engineered to be as safe as possible in the event of a rupture or leak.

Can a mammogram pop breast implants? ›

Myth: Implants can rupture during a mammogram screening.

Fact: It's rare to experience a rupture during a screening. The chances are even lower when you choose a facility that routinely screens women with implants.

Most silicone and saline implants are FDA approved for 10-20 years, but this does not mean that you have to get them replaced every 10-20 years. You can safely go beyond these time frames, and most patients only have to have 1-2 replacements in their lifetime.

Silicone breast implant removal may relieve early autoimmune symptoms, but it will not cure an autoimmune disease that has already developed. The decision to have your breast implants removed is personal and one that should be made with your doctor.

Typically, there will be some loose skin (the larger the implant, the more stretched, loose skin), loss of fullness in the upper part of the breast, and usually, some sagging where the remaining breast tissue sits too low on the chest.

Date Issued: March 8, 2023

Previously, on September 8, 2022, the FDA released a safety communication informing the public of reports of cancers, including SCC and various lymphomas, in the capsule that forms around breast implants.

More than 100 symptoms have been associated with breast implant illness, including headaches, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems. Symptoms can occur with any type of breast implants and can start immediately after implantation or years later.

A subset of women with breast implants report experiencing a myriad of disabling and distressing physical and psychological symptoms attributed to their implants.

Affected patients typically experience some combination of fatigue, myalgia, joint pain, sicca syndrome (dry eyes and mouth), synovitis, rash, alopecia, muscular weakness or lymphadenopathy, and autoantibody formation.

After surgery 96% of patients reported a significant decrease in their symptoms, whereas 90.5% of patients reported a complete disappearance of symptoms after implant removal and capsulectomy.

If the implants were put in after a mastectomy, and the doctor believes that removing the implants is “medically necessary,” then health insurance is legally obligated to cover the breast implant removal.

How can I tell if my implants are making me sick? ›

Both saline and silicone breast implants are considered safe. Research on how safe both types of implants are and how well they work is ongoing.

As we age, our skin's collagen production slows, making our skin more prone to loosening and sagging. Breasts with implants are more prone to sagging caused by the excess weight in the implant and from the natural effects of aging.

On average, today's implants are designed to last more than a decade, with the chance of rupture increasing by one percent each year. So, the older your implants are, the greater your risk of rupture or other complications. In many cases, breast implants can remain in good shape for 20 years or more.

Breast implants don't last a lifetime. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends that people with breast implants have them removed or replaced every 10 to 15 years. However, your plastic surgeon may not recommend that you have them removed if you haven't had any complications.

Most women are satisfied with their bust after breast augmentation with breast implants, but a few struggle with painful symptoms and asymmetrical results. Dr. Rankin and Dr. Vibhakar perform the En Bloc and breast explant procedures to remove breast implants for women who are no longer happy with their results.