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The Daily Insight Hub

Can you get leukemia from breast implants?

Author

Rachel Davis

Updated on February 28, 2026

A2. Breast Implant Associated Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL

ALCL

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) refers to a group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in which aberrant T cells proliferate uncontrollably. Considered as a single entity, ALCL is the most common type of peripheral lymphoma and represents ~10% of all peripheral lymphomas in children.

› Anaplastic_large-cell_lymphoma

) is not breast cancer
- it is a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (cancer of the immune system). In most cases, BIA-ALCL is found in the scar tissue and fluid near the implant, but in some cases, it can spread throughout the body.

Can breast implants cause leukemia?

Breast implants don't cause breast cancer. They don't raise your chances of breast cancer, either. But research does show that women with breast implants have a higher chance of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). ALCL is a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Can people with breast implants get cancer?

Unfortunately, not only is it possible to develop breast cancer after breast implants, but it is also possible to develop cancer because of your implants. Although breast cancer after breast implants is not likely, there is a risk of developing BIA-ALCL.

Can old breast implants cause cancer?

There is a link between old breast implants and a cancer called breast implant-associated large cell lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL. BIA-ALCL develops in the scar tissue between the breasts and the implants. The longer the breast implants are in, the higher the risk of BIA-ALCL development.

What diseases are associated with breast implants?

Symptoms or diagnosis of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and Graves' disease have also been linked to breast implant illness.

Do Breast Implants Increase Cancer Risk?

How do you know if your breast implants are making you sick?

The main symptoms include: continuous swelling or pain around your breast implant, which may occur long after a surgical incision has healed or many years after implants are inserted. fluid collection around your breast implant.

Can breast implants cause an autoimmune disease?

The MD Anderson Cancer Center study showed that silicone breast implants were correlated with a higher rate of several autoimmune disorders (3). This list includes Sjogren syndrome, scleroderma, stillbirth, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, sarcoidosis, multiple sclerosis and melanoma.

Can breast implants cause lymphoma?

Is BIA-ALCL breast cancer? A2. Breast Implant Associated Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is not breast cancer - it is a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (cancer of the immune system). In most cases, BIA-ALCL is found in the scar tissue and fluid near the implant, but in some cases, it can spread throughout the body.

What happens to breast implants after 40 years?

On average, today's implants are designed to last more than a decade, with the chance of rupture increasing by one percent each year. So, the older your implants are, the greater your risk of rupture or other complications. In many cases, breast implants can remain in good shape for 20 years or more.

What happens to breast implants after 10 years?

After 10 years of an initial breast augmentation, 1 out of 5 patients need some sort of revision procedure. That means 20% of patients need another operation due to excess scarring inside the breast (capsular contracture), broken implant etc.

Do breast implants shorten your life?

Silicone implants were also associated with the risk of stillbirth and skin cancer. The scientists also found that women with silicone implants may be at higher risk of some surgical complications, including capsular contracture (scarring around the implant), compared with saline-filled implants.

Do breast implants have a black box warning?

The FDA has issued a black box warning on breast implant packaging. The health care provider should review the risk and complications that can be associated with breast implants. As with all surgical procedures, the patient should have informed consent and understand possible risks and complications.

Can breast implants cause CLL?

Implant-associated breast lymphomas are rare and most are of T-cell lineage. CLL is found the bone marrow and blood whereas SLL is predominantly found in the lymph nodes and spleen. Explantation of the implant induces remission of most breast implant-associated lymphomas.

What is breast lymphoma?

Breast lymphoma is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). NHL is a type of cancer that affects immune system cells. Breast lymphoma occurs almost exclusively in females, and the average age at diagnosis is 60–65 years. Due to its rarity, experts do not have much data on symptoms, causes, or treatments.

What happens if you don't remove breast implants?

They can rupture or leak, and saline implants may deflate. Capsular contracture may also occur, which is shrinkage of natural scar tissue that your body produces around any implanted medical device. This may result in firm or hard breasts or a deformity which you can feel or see.

When should breast implants be removed?

Breast implants are not designed to be permanent and may need to be replaced or removed sometimes as early as 10 to 15 years.

What happens if I want to remove my breast implants?

Pain: If you have capsular contracture, removing implants can provide nearly instant pain relief. Removing large implants may decrease neck or back pain. Replacements and rupture risks: If scar tissue hardens enough, it can lead to an implant rupture. Removing implants takes away the risk of an implant rupture.

How do they check for lymphoma breast implants?

During the initial testing, an ultrasound is used to evaluate key areas near the implant, including the capsule, seroma and nearby lymph nodes. If an ultrasound does not provide enough information, doctors may recommend magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

Why do Textured breast implants cause lymphoma?

What causes BIA-ALCL? Researchers aren't sure why BIA-ALCL develops around textured breast implants. One theory is that the rough, sandpaper-like surface of textured implants might cause chronic inflammation in some women that leads to lymphoma.

What is the safest breast implant?

Both saline and silicone breast implants are considered safe for breast augmentation and breast reconstruction. Research on the safety and effectiveness of both types of implants is ongoing.

Which breast implants cause the most problems?

Hardened breast implants are one of the more common problems with breast implants, and the earlier you seek treatment for this issue, the better. In fact, without treatment, capsular contracture will only get worse. Capsular contracture is actually caused by the body reacting to the foreign substance of the implant.

Are breast implants toxic?

Saline breast implants are just as dangerous as silicone implants. Both breast implant types are associated with a rare form of cancer and several other adverse health effects. There is a common misconception that saline breast implants are safer than silicone implants.

How much does it cost to remove breast implants?

How much does breast implant removal cost? The average cost of breast implant removal surgery is $3,049, according to 2020 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Is there a blood test for BIA-ALCL?

A: There is no blood test to specifically screen for BIA-ALCL. The expert opinion is that asymptomatic women without breast changes do not require more than routine mammograms and breast exams.

Can you have chemotherapy with breast implants?

New research indicates that breast reconstruction – either with breast implants or flap reconstruction using your body's own tissue, is completely safe if you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.