[Fibrosarcoma after silicone breast augmentation: is there a connection?]

Harefuah. 1998 Mar 1;134(5):339-41, 424.
[Article in Hebrew]

Abstract

We describe a 42-year-old woman in whom bilateral fibrosarcoma of the breast was diagnosed 15 years after bilateral breast augmentation with silicone implants. 3 years prior to admission the implants were replaced and 2 years prior to admission mammography showed a nodule in the left breast which biopsy showed to be fibrosarcoma. The implants were removed from both breasts and she was given chemotherapy but later that year underwent bilateral mastectomy. Despite chemotherapy, as well as adjuvant radiotherapy, the disease progressed, with involvement of the lungs and the skin of the left hemithorax. She was admitted repeatedly for severe anemia caused by bleeding from the malignant skin lesions, and died less than 2 years after diagnosis of the disease. Not all reports in the literature find a significant connection between silicone implants and subsequent development of breast cancer, but there are reports that do connect them. Breast fibrosarcoma is not significantly more frequent after silicone augmentation, but still there is controversy as to whether there is a connection between silicone implants and breast malignancy. In the patient we present, the prolonged exposure to silicone may have been a predisposing factor for the development of bilateral fibrosarcoma, since other known risk factors for breast cancer were denied.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Implantation / adverse effects*
  • Breast Implants / adverse effects*
  • Breast Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fibrosarcoma / etiology*
  • Fibrosarcoma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy
  • Silicone Gels / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Silicone Gels