[Systemic scleroderma and scleroderma-like disease after silicone implants]

Systemic sclerosis or clinical patterns indistinguishable from systemic sclerosis have previously been demonstrated in workers in the polyvinylchloride industry and in mine-workers exposed to silica dust. In recent years, an increasing number of cases of systemic sclerosis, localized scleroderma, and scleroderma-like disease have been diagnosed in women after implantation of silicone gel prosthesis either following operations for breast cancer or cosmetic augmentation mammoplasty. We present two cases of systemic sclerosis or scleroderma-like disease appearing after silicone implants. Together with the already reported cases these results should lead to reduced use of silicone for cosmetic augmentation mammoplasty and a search for another material for patients operated on for breast cancer. The cases described, together with the reports concerning industrially provoked scleroderma, are of interest for the continued efforts to clarify the pathogenesis of scleroderma. Other types of exposure than those described here may also be of interest, i.e. occupational exposure to silicone spray.