IMMUNOPATHOLOGIC EFFECTS OF SILICONE BREAST IMPLANTS

Silicone-gel breast implants have been associated with a myriad of aut oimmune and connective tissue disorders by anecdotal reports and small observational series. To date, no prospective epidemiologic studies h ave been done to substantiate these observations, but an increasing bo dy of literature is being developed and older studies are being recogn ized that point to immunotoxic or inflammatory effects of these breast implant components. The development of disease due to implants would depend on the interaction of genetic host factors so that only a few p atients would potentially be at risk. Based on the example of other ch emically mediated disorders, such as scleroderma in association with s ilica exposure, latency periods of more than 30 years before disease d evelops may be possible. Herein we review studies on silicone and immu nity.