Most breast implants used in the UK have an outer silicone shell with a silicone gel filling. They are “cohesive silicone gel filled” implants, so that even if the shell ruptures, the silicone gel stays in a solid jelly like form. Silicone breast implants have been used for many decades and have been shown to be safe. Several studies investigating thousands of women that underwent breast augmentation, have not shown any association with any cancer, autoimmune or connective tissue diseases.
Breast implant associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
This is a rare form of cancer of the blood cells (lymphoma) that can develop around an implant. ALCL has been reported more frequently in textured implants and generally found adjacent to the implant itself, contained within the fibrous capsule.
It is thought to occur in about 1 in every 24,000 breast implants inserted in the UK. BIA-ALCL usually presents with rapid swelling of one of the breasts and it is diagnosed by taking a sample and testing fluid around the implant. It is treated by removal of the implant and the surrounding capsule and referral to the appropriate NHS breast team.
Poly Implant Prostheses (PIP implants)
PIP implants were produced by a French company using unapproved industrial grade silicone rather than medical grade silicone. They were withdrawn from the UK in 2010 as they were 2 to 6 times more likely to rupture than standard silicone implants. Around 47,000 British women had PIP implants fitted. PIP implants do not pose a serious health risk and do not necessarily need to be removed, but they should be taken out if they rupture or if you are worried about this happening.
Miss Tadiparthi has never used PIP implants in her practice. However, she has removed PIP implants in both the NHS and private sector. Miss Tadiparthi uses Mentor implants which are known for long-term safety and low rupture and capsular contracture rates.