[Silicone breast implants and risk of carcinoma]

Breast reconstruction, i.e. enlargement of the breast by use of silicone implants, has been performed for almost 40 years. Due to its qualities silicone is being widely used in different branches of surgery. New scientific and technological knowledge have resulted in a variety of types of silicone implants (sheet, filling). There is a great interest, but also controversies concerning the development of breast cancer and connective tissue disease in implant bearing patients. There is no evidence on the influence of silicone implants on the breast cancer development. Regardless of the presence of the implant, standard mammography, additional tangential projections, Eklund's maneuver, ultrasonography in addition to a careful clinical examination are sufficient for an adequate follow-up and detection of even minimal changes within the breast tissue.