Do Breast Implants Cause Cancer?

Did you know there is a rare type of cancer that can develop in individuals with breast implants? Accounting for only about 0.5% of breast malignancies, breast lymphoma is rare, but possible.
Often overshadowed by other breast-related cancers, these rare conditions deserve a closer look. This guide aims to inform you of the lesser-known types of cancer in the breast.

If Not Breast Cancer, What Is Breast Lymphoma?

Breast lymphoma is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that occurs in some people who’ve had breast implants. NHL starts in the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system and aids in fighting infections. Lymphomas can start anywhere in the body where lymph tissue is found. While there is not much lymph tissue in the breast, this is where the cancer develops.

Primary Breast Lymphoma: Lymphoma found in the breast without evidence elsewhere in the body.
Secondary Breast Lymphoma: Lymphoma that spreads to the breast from another location.

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Do Breast Implants Increase Chances of Cancer?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first identified a possible association between breast implants and breast lymphoma in 2011. Breast implants can increase the risk of the development of a type of NHL. This is called breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIAALCL).

This lymphoma develops in the fluid and scar tissue around the implant. BIAALCL usually advances slowly. In severe cases, it can spread to nearby lymph nodes and other body parts, including the chest wall beneath the breast.

According to BreastCancer.org, BIAALCL only develops in people who have saline-filled or silicone gel-filled implants with a textured surface. This includes people who get textured implants as part of breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy.

How Is Breast Lymphoma Diagnosed?

Symptoms of breast lymphoma often mimic those of other breast conditions, such as breast cancer or benign breast tumors. The most common symptoms are a painless lump or mass in the breast, swelling, changes in the breast shape, or skin abnormalities.

Due to its nonspecific symptoms, diagnosis depends on the use of various tests. These tests may include a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI, along with a tissue biopsy for a definite diagnosis.
Sometimes, breast lymphoma is discovered incidentally during a routine mammogram, even without a noticeable lump. Approximately 10% of cases fall into this category.

With quick diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis is generally favorable. According to Breast Implant Cancer Advocates, the overall survival rate for patients diagnosed with BIAALCL is 89%. This means that 89% of patients survive longer than five years.

Be Breast Aware

If you have undergone a breast implant procedure in the past 10 years and you are experiencing symptoms, consult with your doctor to see if an evaluation is recommended.

If you have been recently diagnosed with blood or breast cancer, the experts at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute are here to help. We provide treatments, therapies and clinical trials for all types of cancers, including blood cancers and breast cancers.

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