Update: What people with breast implants should know about rare cancers and other safety concerns
Breast implants are used for reconstruction after mastectomy and for cosmetic enlargement of the breasts. Most people with implants do not develop serious problems. However, rare cancers may develop in the scar tissue around breast implants. Implants may also be linked to other symptoms throughout the body, sometimes called breast implant illness. (posted 8/20/2026)
By: Piri Welcsh, PhD
Reviewed by: Allison Kurian, MD, MSc
RELEVANCE
Most relevant for: People who have or are considering breast implants.
It may also be relevant for:
- people with breast cancer
- people with a genetic mutation linked to cancer risk
- previvors
- transgender people
Relevance: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
What is this topic about?
This review provides updates about breast implant-associated cancers and breast implant-associated illness. This update combines several prior XRAY reviews on breast implants and newer data from the Food and Drug Administration (), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and recent studies.
Why is this topic important?
Many people choose breast implants after a mastectomy or for cosmetic reasons. However, some well-studied complications related to implants include rupture, pain, infection, hardening of the scar tissue around the implant, changes in breast shape and other problems.
More recently, research has linked breast implants to other long-term medical issues, including rare cancers that can develop in the scar tissue that forms around implants. These cancers are often referred to as breast-implant-associated cancers (BIA cancers).
Researchers are also studying possible links between breast implants and other symptoms, including fatigue, chronic pain and immune-mediated symptoms. Some people refer to these symptoms as breast implant illness (BII).
The table below contains the current reports to the and ASPS for breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell (BIA-LCL) and breast implant-associated squamous cell (BIA-SCC).
About BIA cancers
BIA cancers develop in the scar tissue or fluid that forms around breast implants (not in the breast tissue). Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell (BIA-ALCL) is a rare cancer of the immune system. Other cancers have also been reported in women with breast implants, including breast implant-associated squamous cell cancer (BIA-SCC). This rare type of skin cancer has been reported in the scar tissue around implants. These cancers are rare, but they can be life-threatening.
Which implants are linked to BIA-ALCL?
BIA-ALCL is most strongly linked to textured implants. This type of implant has a rougher surface than smooth implants. In 2019, Allergan BIOCELL textured implants and certain textured tissue expanders were recalled because of the link to BIA-ALCL in people who had breast reconstruction or cosmetic breast augmentation.
How common is BIA-ALCL?
BIA-ALCL is very rare. The has received reports of 1,380 unique BIA-ALCL cases, including 64 deaths worldwide, as of June 30, 2024. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports about 458 suspected or confirmed cases in the United States and 1,618 cases worldwide as of May 30, 2025. Study estimates of BIA-ALCL risk vary because of differences in implant types, countries, registries and reporting systems.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms that should be checked include:
- new or persistent swelling
- fluid around the implant
- breast pain
- a lump in the breast or armpit
- changes in breast shape
- hardening around the implant
Symptoms often occur years after implant surgery—commonly 8 to 10 years after textured implants are placed. Symptoms may also appear after implants have been removed.
How are these cancers diagnosed and treated?
If someone has symptoms, doctors may order an or an to look for fluid or a mass. Fluid may be removed and tested. Treatment usually includes surgery to remove the implant and the surrounding scar capsule. Some people with more advanced disease may need chemotherapy, radiation or other cancer treatment.
BIA-SCC and other lymphomas
The has reported rare cases of squamous cell carcinoma in the capsule around breast implants. These cancers have been reported with different types of implants, including saline, silicone, smooth and textured devices. At this time, the number of cases is small, and the true risk is unknown.
| Condition | current data | ASPS current data | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIA-ALCL |
1,380 cases. 64 deaths worldwide. Last updated February 6, 2025. |
458 cases in the US. 1,618 cases worldwide. Last updated May 30, 2025. |
BIA-ALCL is rare and is most strongly linked to textured implants. Medical Device Reporting (MDR) to the is a useful safety signal but does not provide a true incidence rate. |
| BIA-SCC |
19 cases. Last updated March 22, 2023. |
No case count. | BIA-SCC is very rare and can be aggressive. It has been reported with different implant types; the cause, incidence and risk factors are unknown. |
Newer data
- updates: The continues to monitor BIA-ALCL and BIA-SCC and other lymphomas reported by people with breast implants.
- ASPS updates: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons describes BIA-ALCL as uncommon and highly treatable, especially when found early and the implants are removed completely with surgery. ASPS estimates vary by implant type, with the highest risk linked to textured implants. The ASPS also notes that most people with BIA-ALCL have an excellent prognosis after removal of the implant and surrounding scar capsule.
Recent study on trends: A 2026 systematic review found that estimates of BIA-ALCL risk vary widely. The study reported that US incidence appeared to peak around 2020 and then decline, while global trends were more mixed. The authors emphasized that risk should be identified by implant surface type and geography, because the use of textured implants varies by country.
and and BIA cancers
A 2025 study asked whether people with or mutations who have textured implants may have a higher risk of BIA-ALCL. The study was small, and the results were inconclusive. Read our X-ray review on this study.
People with or mutations who have breast implants should follow their doctor’s guidance for recognizing and reporting symptoms and should discuss their personal situation with their healthcare team.
What is breast implant illness?
Breast implant illness (BII) is a term some people use for chronic symptoms reported after getting breast implants. Some of the symptoms include fatigue, “brain fog,” joint or muscle pain, hair loss, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, rashes and weight changes. These symptoms have been reported in people with silicone and saline implants, smooth and textured implants and implants placed for reconstruction or cosmetic reasons.
Although some patients report improved or resolved symptoms following removal of their implants, the cause of the symptoms and the degree to which they may be related to the implants are unclear.
BII is not a formal medical diagnosis, and there is no single test to confirm it. If you have breast implants and you are concerned about symptoms that develop, talk with your doctor. Ask whether your symptoms could be related to your implants or another health condition, what evaluation is recommended and what the risks and benefits are of keeping, replacing or removing your implants.
|
Condition |
current data |
ASPS current data |
Considerations |
|
BII* |
10,318 reports as of June 30, 2024* |
No case-count. |
reports cannot determine prevalence, cause or risk because the reports may be incomplete, duplicated, underreported or unverified. |
*BII is not recognized as a formal medical diagnosis, and there are no specific tests or recognized criteria to define or characterize it.
The continues to monitor BII reported by people with breast implants.
What does this mean for me?
If you have breast implants and no symptoms, experts do not recommend removing the implants because of concern about BIA-ALCL. Surgery has risks, and BIA-ALCL is rare. However, it is important to know what type of implant you have, keep your implant records and continue routine follow-up with your healthcare team.
If you have textured implants, ask your plastic surgeon whether any special follow-up is recommended. Textured implants are no longer used in the United States, Europe and many other countries, but some people have textured implants that were placed before the devices were recalled. Recalls applied only for available textured implants; they did not apply to implants that had already been placed.
If you notice swelling, pain, fluid around the implant, a lump, a hard area around an implant or a change in breast shape, contact your doctor. These symptoms may not mean you have cancer, but they should be evaluated.
If you are considering breast implants, ask for the FDA-required boxed warning, patient decision checklist and device information card. Talk with your surgeon about the types of implants, their expected lifespan, possible complications, alternatives and recommended follow-up.
If you are considering breast reconstruction, you may have several options, including implants, reconstruction using your own tissue or going flat. The best choice depends on your cancer treatment plan, health history, personal preferences, access to experienced surgeons and what matters most to you.
References
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Medical Device Reports of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell . Current as of February 6, 2025.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Questions and Answers about Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell .
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. BIA-ALCL Physician Resources. Last updated May 30, 2025.
Sorotos M, Firmani G, Mareş T, et al. Epidemiology of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: A systematic review of literature. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2026.
Ghione P, Mandelker D, Arcila ME, et al. BRCA1/2 impact on the development of implant-associated in women with breast cancer and textured implants. Blood Advances. 2025.
Disclosure: FORCE receives funding from industry sponsors, including companies that manufacture cancer drugs, tests and devices. All XRAYS articles are written independently of any sponsor and are reviewed by members of our Scientific Advisory Board prior to publication to assure scientific integrity.
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posted 8/20/2026
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- What type of implants do I have: smooth or textured, saline or silicone?
- Do I have implants or tissue expanders that were recalled?
- How can I get a copy of my implant device card or surgical records?
- What symptoms should I watch for, and who should I call if they develop?
- How often should I see a plastic surgeon or other provider for follow-up?
- Do I need imaging to check for silicone implant rupture?
- If I have textured implants but no symptoms, what are the risks and benefits of keeping them versus removing or replacing them?
- Does having a hereditary mutation that increases my risk of breast cancer change anything about my implant follow-up?
- What are my options if I want my implants removed, or replaced with other implants or another type of reconstruction?
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