Breast Implant Illness: A Case Series

Abstract

Since the advent of breast implants, there has been unprecedented controversy and FDA bands regarding their safety. There has been a demonstrated link with certain types of lymphoma, autoimmune disorders, and systemic illness associated with breast implants. A significant population of women currently pursue bilateral breast implant removal in hopes to alleviate a constellation of symptoms anecdotally known as “breast implant illness”. This is not yet an accepted clinical entity due to the lack of sound literature on the subject. Common presenting symptoms include fatigue, anxiety, chronic pain, endocrine, autonomic, and peripheral nervous system dysfunction. Currently, there is no standard of care or guideline for treating women experiencing such symptoms. The current literature regarding breast implant illness has been widely observational and descriptive. With over four million women across the globe with augmented breasts, the potential impact of this research is great. This paper presents three patients believed to be suffering from breast implant illness, who after en-bloc resection, experienced resolution of their symptoms.