Evaluation of the carcinogenic risks to humans associated with surgical implants and other foreign bodies - a report of an IARC Monographs Programme Meeting

A meeting was held within the International Agency for Research on Cancer ( IARC) Programme on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans of surgic al implants and other foreign bodies. This meeting report summarises the ty pes of materials considered, their wear and degradation, their cancer epide miology in both humans and other animals, the published experimental carcin ogenicity data and selected data oil their toxic, including genotoxic, effe cts. Evaluations resulting in a classification of Group 2B (possibly carcin ogenic to humans) were reached for: (1) polymeric implants prepared as thin smooth films [with the exception of poly (glycolic acid)]; (2) metallic im plants prepared as thin smooth films: and (3) implanted foreign bodies cons isting of metallic cobalt, metallic nickel and a particular alloy powder co nsisting of 66-67% nickel, 13-16% chromium and 7% iron. Group 3 classificat ions (not classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans) were made for : (1) organic polymeric materials as a group; (2) orthopaedic implants of c omplex composition and cardiac pacemakers: (3) silicone breast implants; (3 ) dental materials: and (5) ceramic implants. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd . All rights reserved.