Comparative examination of complaints of patients with breast-cancer with and without silicone implants.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the relationship between silicone breast implants and various symptoms using a control group.


METHODS
A matched-pair-analysis of 96 women with breast-cancer (32 with silicone implants (K I); 64 without implants (K II)) was performed with help of a standardized questionnaire in respect to 50 single criteria. The condition of implants was monitored by MR-imaging.


RESULTS
Athralgias and myalgias were not significantly more frequent in K I. Only six symptoms were reported significantly more often in patients with implants. Positive correlation with implant rupture was given only for the numb feeling/tingling sensation in extremities (P=0.02). There was no correlation between silicone implants and the symptoms of the "chronic-fatigue syndrome" nor any other described silicone-induced disease.


CONCLUSIONS
According to our analysis many of the symptoms examined here are present in middle-aged women regardless of silicone implants and underlying disease.
Berner
Imke
I
Institute for Clinical Radiology, Universität Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Street 33, D-48129 Münster, Germany.
Gaubitz
Markus
M
Jackisch
Christian
C
Pfleiderer
Bettina
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018427:Breast Implants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012828:Silicones
D012828:Silicones