Breast Implants - Risks Inherent With Silicone

Hematoma

A hematoma is a collection of blood inside the body (in this case, around the breast implant or around the incision). Swelling, pain, and bruising may result. The chance of getting a hematoma is not known, but if you are considering breast implants you should ask your physician about his or her experience. If a hematoma occurs, it will usually be soon after surgery. (It can also occur at any time after injury to the breast.) Small hematomas are absorbed by the body, but large ones may have to be drained surgically for proper healing. Surgical draining causes scarring, which is minimal in most women.

Delayed Wound Healing

In rare instances, the breast implant can stretch the skin abnormally, depriving it of blood supply and allowing the breast implant to push out through the skin. This complication usually requires additional surgery.

Changes in Nipple or Breast Sensation

Changes in sensation may result from breast implant surgery. These changes may be temporary or permanent. They may affect sexual response and the response of the nipple during breast feeding.

Shifting of the Breast Implant

Sometimes an implant may shift from its initial placement, giving the breasts an unnatural look. If the breast implant shifts, it may become possible to feel the breast implant through the skin. Other problems with appearance could include incorrect breast implant size, visible scars, uneven appearance, and wrinkling of the breast implant.

Unknown Risks

In addition to these known risks, there are unanswered questions about silicone-filled breast implants. For example, can the breast implants bring on symptoms of auto-immune diseases such as lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis? Can they bring on neurological symptoms similar to multiple sclerosis in some women? Can the breast implants increase the risk of cancer?

Connective Tissue and Related Disorders. These illnesses include autoimmune disorders such as lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as disorders such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Some women with breast implants have experienced these disorders as well as a variety of symptoms that could be related to the immune system. However, these symptoms may be present without breast implants or connective tissue disease. It is unclear at this time whether the signs and symptoms experienced by these women are related to their breast implants. In some cases, women have reported a reduction in symptoms after their breast implants were removed; in other cases, there was no change in symptoms after their breast implants were removed. Several human studies have been completed recently, which provide substantial, but not complete, information about any possible link between breast implants and immune-related disorders. These studies provide reassurance that the risk of developing a connective tissue disease due to breast implants is not high. Taken together, these studies tell us that the vast majority of women with breast implants will not develop defined immune-related disorders from their breast implants. Breast-Feeding and Children. At this time it is not known what effect breast implants have on lactation. Any breast surgery may impair breast feeding. A woman with breast implants who has questions about risks while pregnant or breast feeding should consult her physician. Cancer. At this time, there is no scientific evidence that women with silicone-filled breast implants are more susceptible to cancer than other women. Two large studies have shown no increase in the incidence of breast cancer in women with breast implants for either augmentation or reconstruction. However, the possibility has not been ruled out and further research is being conducted. Lifetime effects are currently unknown.