Breast implant illness, specifically the type of cancer associated with breast implants, is a fairly rare condition that has been tied to some textured breast implants.

What is Breast Implant Illness?

The term “breast implant illness,” sometimes shortened to BII, may refer to a couple different conditions: a variety of symptoms reported by patients or a rare but serious form of cancer.

BII is not recognized as a medical condition by doctors. However, countless patients have reported experiencing a debilitating set of symptoms following breast implant surgery. Some reported symptoms include chest pain, chills, chronic pain, depression, hair loss, headaches, rash, hormonal concerns, neurological changes, sleeping problems, light sensitivity, fatigue, and more.

Anecdotal reports state that these symptoms are resolved after the breast implants are removed. However, doctors and surgeons remain skeptical about the validity of the condition and its true cause.

A medically accepted illness resulting from breast implants is a form of cancer known as breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA ALCL). Although it occurs in the breasts, BIA ALCL is not breast cancer. Instead, the cancerous cells form within the scar capsule that develops around breast implants during the healing process.

Symptoms of BIA ALCL may include: breast enlargement, pain, breast asymmetry, lump on the breast or armpit, skin rash, breast hardening, or fluid collection. A diagnosis could be confirmed with imagine and a needle biopsy.

Luckily, BIA ALCL is very treatable when it is caught early. If the cancer hasn’t spread, the breast implant and the scar tissue can usually be removed to resolve the issue. However, complications can occur if the condition is not treated and women have died from the disease.

What Are the Chances of Getting Breast Implant Illness?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the lifetime risk for developing BIA ALCL is 1:2,207 to 1:86,029 in women with textured breast implants. The exact risk reportedly depends on the type of implant.

Unfortunately, there is not a large amount of data available on BIA ALCL. Most risk calculations are dependent on current confirmed cases and the data from textured impact sales from the past two decades. Women who were implanted with Allergan BIOCELL or Natrelle textured breast implants make up some of those diagnosed with cancer.

Dr. Andrea Pusic, Joseph E. Murray Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, says that the cancer is not fully understood but doctors are working hard to find out more information to alleviate women’s fears. She notes that “the plastic surgery community is putting a lot of resources into this.”

This means more studies which will hopefully answer big questions about the illness. Even though one study will likely not “unlock” all the answers to BIA ALCL, research can provide different pieces of the metaphorical puzzle which can help doctors understand who is at risk and how to prevent the condition.

“Board-certified plastic surgeons, along with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, have always endeavored to help women understand both the risks and benefits of breast implants. Moving forward, we hope to do this even better,” Dr. Pusic says.

“It may turn out that women with certain risk factors might not be good candidates for implants, while other women are.”

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.