Pathology
Discuss with your surgeon beforehand to take pictures of the implants and capsules, what you would like to be sent to pathology, and what tests to have done. Pathology is typically concerned with the diagnosis of disease and only checks for atypical cells leading to cancer cells when examining capsule tissue. They may not check for infections from bacteria or fungus, nor do detailed descriptions unless directly requested to do so by the surgeon. Pathology reports tend to be very general unless you insist for them to be more detailed.
List of Potential Pathological Materials
- Capsules
- Swabs of Chest & Capsules
- Implants
- Rarely: potential lymph node (if deemed oversize) and seroma/effusion aspirate for CD30 (if there is fluid collection).
If you have implants and develop unilateral swelling, seroma, enlarged lymph nodes, breast mass, or even capsular contracture, you should push for CD30 BIA-ALCL testing. This is especially important with textured implants (silicone and saline). There is a Facebook ALCL in Women with Breast Implants BIA-ALCL patient support group and currently there are 125+ women with the diagnosis.
Update: As of December 2020, the ASPS is aware of 992 BIA-ALCL cases worldwide. It is widely accepted that there is a direct correlation between textured implants and the development of BIA-ALCL. There have been no confirmed cases of a BIA-ALCL in a patient with smooth only device, that is not to say it will not eventually happen.
1. Capsules & Swabs:
During surgery you can have the surgeon take swabs of your chest and capsules, and also have them take pictures of the implants and capsules. Capsules and swabs can be sent to pathology and tested for: bacteria, fungi, malignant cells/BIA-ALCL (CD30), and foreign materials (gel bleed: silicone, silica, talc, polyurethane). These tests are additional costs to the surgery, please inquire beforehand.
1. Bacteria – Biofilm is an aggregate of one or more types of microorganisms that cover many different surfaces. It commonly forms on medical devices and causes persistent low grade chronic bacterial infections, chronic inflammation, and capsular contracture. Bacterial biofilm infections tend to be resistant to antibiotics.
Recent biofilm research: In 2015, there was a research study done on the microbial epidemiology of breast implant infections where 17 species of bacteria were identified. In 2019, the scientific article, Breast Implant Illness: A Way Forward suggests a need to investigate further the bacteria and microbiome of implants and capsules through “detection and characterization.” In 2020, a study on BII and biofilm found “[c]hronic infection was found in 36% of cases with Propionibacterium acnes the most common finding.”
2. Fungi – The occurrence of fungi is rare, but has been found around saline and silicone breast implants. Saline implants that have valves are susceptible to microbial growth around them and inside the saline solution. Saline valves are permeable and allow body fluid/tissue in and allow colonization of microorganisms inside the implant. See saline implants and mold for more information. Mold can also occur around silicone implants as they disintegrate and allow body fluids to permeate the shell and implant. There have been reports of the fungus candida being found on silicone implants. Textured implants, both saline and silicone, allow body fluids to be soaked up by the textured surfaces, and therefore this also attracts fungus and provides an ideal breeding ground. Fungus thrives in warm and wet areas. Please note, fungi are slow growing and hard to detect on regular cultures, it can be a waste of money to check in most cases, especially for silicone implants.
3. Malignant Cells and BIA-ALCL (CD30) – If you have implants and develop unilateral swelling, seroma, enlarged lymph nodes, breast mass, or even capsular contracture, you should push for CD30 BIA-ALCL testing. This is especially important with textured implants.
4. Foreign Materials – If you have silicone implants you can request for pathology to check the capsules for the foreign materials of silicone, silicon, and silica. If you have the earlier versions of the implants before 1991, you can request for them to check for talc, silicone, silicon, and silica in your capsules. If you have polyurethane implants, you can request for them to check for polyurethane, talc, silicone, silicon, and silica. For more info see Stanford Pathology.
In a news article: “The implants themselves weren’t ruptured at all, but my surgeon agreed to get the scar tissue that he removed that was around them tested for silicone,” Robinson said. “Sure enough, it was riddled with it, which proved that even though the implants hadn’t ruptured at all, the silicone was still leeching into my body.”
Video: Pathology testing after explantation. When is it necessary? – Dr. Chun
Request a Detailed Pathology Report:
You can request a detailed pathology report, noting the following: pathological lesions, if there is any foreign material (silicone), lymphocyte infiltration, chronic inflammation, and histologic features.
Lymphocyte infiltration, foreign body giant cells, and granulomas are types of white blood cells that can be indicative of chronic inflammation and a foreign body reaction.
Note: Nearly every patient receives “synovial metalplasia” in their capsule pathology report.
Resources for Capsule Testing:
The Carlson Company in Colorado is a toxicology lab that can do heavy metal and chemical testing of explanted capsule tissues. Note: This test is very expensive.
Research
Breast Implant Illness: A Way Forward (2019), suggests studying BII through various approaches, below are some examples.
- They propose to analyze the implant/capsule and histology, cytokines, lymphocytes, bacteria and particulates.
- Genetic Testing
- “These patients will also need genetic sequencing to look for patterns of gene mutations and HLA type that predispose to the development of autoimmune and other systemic disease”
- Toxicology
- “…we need to also consider toxicology around measuring inorganic compounds, particulates, and other implant-related substances that may precipitate activation of the immune system.”
2. Implants:
Saline Implants – Mycometrics and Real Time can test saline fluid for mold and microorganisms. It costs about $180 per implant and results generally take 3-4 weeks. If you want your implants back after the testing you have to specify it with them beforehand.
Optionally, as an extra measure, swabs of the implant surfaces can be taken as well if you want to check for biofilm/bacteria or fungus. Although if you do the swabs from the inner layer of the capsule that should suffice.
Generally implants are sent to pathology more for the purpose of having their appearance and labeling recorded with any identifying marks, characters or numbers. This may be useful for those interested in legal proceedings. Plastic surgeons may be able to do this too. See the article, “The Importance of Documenting the Appearance and Status of Breast Implants at Time of Explantation.” If you do send your implants to pathology, ensure that they are not destroyed and will be returned back to you.
You can also request for your breast implants to be weighed.
3. Lymph Nodes:
Removing lymph nodes is a controversial topic. Foreign substances in the breast have the potential to migrate to local and occasionally distant lymph nodes. Silicone from ruptured or intact implants can be found in lymph nodes. Textured implants can have shell fragments flake off and those may also be found in the lymph nodes and be associated with ALCL.
Normally lymph nodes are no larger than 0.5 in (1.3 cm) in diameter and are difficult to feel. They can enlarge to greater than 2.5 in (6 cm). It is not recommended for lymph nodes less than 0.5 cm to be removed. Lymph nodes are an important part of the immune system and they help the body recognize and fight off infections. Silicone and shell fragments are very difficult to break down and therefore removal of large silicone-filled lymph nodes may be appropriate in some cases. See here for more information on lymph node pathology.
Explant expert, Dr. Lu-Jean Feng, shares her expertise on silicone and lymph nodes on her YouTube Channel, webinar + transcript, and website. Click here to read more on Dr. Feng discussing lymph nodes.
“Dr. Lu-Jean Feng has performed extensive research on silicone lymphadenopathy over the last 20 years as a result of breast augmentation. As a result of this research, she has published a peer-reviewed paper [Pathology of Lymph Nodes From Patients With Breast Implants] with scientists from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C. as well as from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
The study concluded that silicone in the lymph nodes can be diagnosed by ultrasound and localized by needle localization for precise removal. The polyurethane covered gel filled breast implants are associated with extensive silicone lymphadenopathy in the axilla, retropectoral, internal mammary, and sometimes neck nodes, but never in nodes below the diaphragm. The saline implants are never associated with silicone lymphadenopathy. Ruptured gel implants are only sometimes associated with silicone lymphadenopathy.”
Dr. Lu-Jean Feng’s Webinar Transcript, pg. 9:
“The silicone in the lymph nodes first has to be detected by ultrasound, which is probably the best way because it has a very specific signal. But to remove it you really have to have it needle localize, meaning that particular node has to be specified through needle localization and that can only be done by a radiologist. You can’t tell which [lymph nodes] have silicone and which [lymph nodes] do not if you just blindly go into the axillary space. They really have to be localized. Most of the silicone that I see in the lymph nodes are incredibly small and not alway accessible.
Some of this silicone lymph nodes are actually behind the ribs. They are very close to the lung, and the only way to remove these lymph nodes is to take out a rib to remove them. Some silicone in the lymph nodes are very high up in the chest near the axillary vessels. They are very hard to be localized. So, yes, you can approach it in those areas but which ones are you going to take? Are you going to take it all or are you going to take a few? So, unless the lymph node can be localized I wouldn’t take them out because you could take out normal lymph nodes and that certainly wouldn’t be good.
So if the lymph node is enlarged, if the lymph node is painful, if the lymph nodes can be localized, then these are all the conditions in which you could take out the lymph node. Otherwise if it too small, too inaccessible, you can’t get to it. The most important thing is how did it get there? So it is more important to remove the implant and capsules that really remove the secondary effect of implantation.”
4. Seroma/Effusion:
If fluid collection is found, request for it to be sent to pathology and do the CD30 BIA-ALCL test. Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a cancer of the immune system. One of the presenting signs of lymphoma is a seroma and should be tested. There is a Facebook ALCL in Women with Breast Implants BIA-ALCL patient support group and currently there are 125+ women with the diagnosis in the group. It is predominantly linked with textured implants. Do not assume the doctor will test for fluid collection or send capsules off for testing, these can easily be discarded unless requested by the patient before the surgery.
5. Other:
Please note that pathology will apply a fixative of formalin or formaldehyde to the capsules and will generally make slides of some of the capsule tissue. Fixatives permanently tamper the capsules and prevent any future form of testing on them. The lab will either hold the capsules for a certain amount of time or destroy them after analysis unless you would like them returned to you, which would need to be prearranged. The capsules tell the story of your body’s reaction to the implant. There is an expert, Dr. Pierre Blais, who examines breast implants and capsules but he is currently back logged. You may wish to have the capsule returned to you or ensure it is kept by the lab so that Dr. Blais may one day analyze them.
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What does it mean on pathology report
Fibrous pseudocapsule?
Hello,
I have Mentor silicone implants since 2013. Over the passed 2 years I have had multiple chest infections, periorbital cellulitus, abdominal pains, numbness, tingling, ringing in ears, neck pain, back pain, muscle spasms, sudden food adversions, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, feeling like I am going to die, intolernace to temperatures, dehydration, muscle weakness, sensitivity to light. I have BII. Awaiting consultations with surgeons. Praying for healing. My brain MRI came back ok, I thought I had MS!!! How is Mentor still up and running?!!! Why?!!!!! This needs to change!!!!!
I have called over 12 places and cannot find anyone to test for silicone, mold, bacteria, heavy metals etc the hospital is holding my capsule tissue… please help I need to know where to send it for testing please 🙏
I had an enbloc removal of 15 year old saline over the muscle implants on Friday the 13th. I agreed with the surgeon at preop for him to only send implants and or capsules to pathology if he saw anything suspicious. I guess we should have defined “suspicious” because one implant has numerous particles floating in it and a black ring around the interior valve. I know they are now compromised being in my possession but I am extremely eager to have them tested for bacteria and possibly mold and candida that my surgeon father suggested is in there and is “normal” ugh. 8 months after implanting, I began having ulcerative colitis symptoms and it’s been a downward spiral of untreatable autoimmune diseases since. I am already feeling better though my gut issues as I expected aren’t resolving over night. I imagine if it’s even connected it may take years to heal. It would be incredible if there is a lab I could send these to on my own with the understanding that the biology in and on them has been compromised so testing may not be a sure thing. (I would think the structure of the numerous particles would be pretty clear to analyze and not even need a culture of those possibly) Please advise! Thank you!
I had explant surgery and only my implants were sent for pathology. They never tested a single thing with my capsules and I was told they were destroyed in the surgical suite and I also had a ruptured saline implant. Truly upsetting and I was only given the excuse that the PS visually inspects them post en bloc for any abnormalities. No swabs or cultures either just implants sent to pathology and I did get them back a month later after they were “cleaned.” Feel somewhat betrayed that my capsules were never tested for a thing.
its amazing how they ONLY want people to post and show what they CHOOSE they want you to see here.
Your other comment is posted on the Lawsuits page. Thank you for sharing your experience!
anyone experience the same with butt implants. i explanted and now going back to remove the capsule…..
I had my implants removed yesterday. I was always in Drs offices had mri of my brain done, cat scan of the brain, different doctors and specialists including a cardiologist who did every heart scan and test and only found heart palpitations. I’ve only been diagnosed with general anxiety and panic attacks and depression and Drs just give me a bunch of pills that I did not take. I was having so many pains in my left breast I thought I was having a heart attack and go to the ER. And they find nothing! I’m in medical debt right now because of all the Er visits and dr visits it’s ridiculous to say the least!! I started blacking out, my heart racing and me getting severe adrenaline and sweating that’s when I decided to have my implants removed. I could not take care of my kids in that state and I’m not taking pills when I do not need them. My husband asked the dr if we could get the implants, my dr said no. It’s illegal to keep them, my dr said. Then he told my husband that when he started on the left one it was bad. When my husband asked what was wrong with it he dodged my husbands question. I have drains in and the smell is like acetone and paint mixed together. It’s pretty disgusting knowing I had that in my body. I wish I would’ve done more research before getting implants I would not have gotten them . I have been sick for 2 and a half years and they have only been in 3 years. It’s put a strain on every relationship in my life. I’m very fortunate that my husband is supportive without him I don’t know where I’d have been going through all of that and in return I was mean to him going through my many symptoms of being sick. Prayers to all the women suffering.
Hello Danielle,
I just explanted almost a week ago, I also had heart palpitations and extreme anxiety. Would you mind giving me an update on how you feel? I was hopeful that as soon as I had my implants removed I would feel like new, like many women have stated as soon as they got them out immediately they saw a difference. But I’m a week out and I don’t see a dramatic difference yet other than my acne clearing up. I would love to know how your process went, thanks
Why, why, why did I get a pathetic Form Letter back from the FDA Med Watch, when I submitted my complaint? There was no follow up with me.
Why are the Breast implant manufacturers getting away with this? This wouldn’t be happening, if it was men who were affected.
I have been sick for many years, and had no idea where the symptoms were coming from. I had a double silicone rupture, followed by further decline with saline replacements. I was so misled, by well intentioned doctors, that I actually believed that the H-Pylorie I was diagnosed with, was somehow the cause for the swelling and pain in my breast.
It’s frustrating, that the doctors cant put it together, because the FDA isn’t protecting us. There is no continuity to healthcare regarding this ILLNESS. This isn’t the first time that breast implants have been injuring women, and yet, its being treated by our FDA, like its Not happening.
How much money was used, to influence our government agency, supposed to protect us, to re-approve these toxic bags?
The apathy, makes really sick women, feel ignored by our government, brushed aside by doctors, shunned by society, and helpless, in trying to get the answers owed us. This grassroots movement, although inspiring, is like fumbling around in the dark for help.
If the FDA hadn’t put implants back on the market, I wouldn’t have had a false sense of security, and wouldn’t have even considered putting, what is clear, are toxic chemicals in my body.
It’s, in my opinion, Another example, of our corrupt government putting corporate profits ahead of healthcare.
“Radium Girls” of The Twenty-first Century.
Hello,
I am a few days post explant and lift. I was given an antibiotic as part of post surgery med regiment which also included a pain med and antihistamine. I have since bloated up to a 4-5 month pregnant version of myself. I have told my doctor and am told this is normal, probably constipation, which is NOT the case. As I read on this page I am concerned about the pathology going on in my post op body and developing unnecessary additional abdominal swelling. What other post op med regiments have people been on? Anti bacterials? Anti fungals?
Thank you
Hi Marianne,
Women with breast implants often have candida/yeast/fungal overgrowth from immune deficits, gut problems, and toxins in the body, and then antibiotics exacerbate it. Bloating post-explant is very common.
Antibiotics, pain killers, and water retention from the IV’s can all contribute to post-surgery bloating and constipation. If you are not constipated, then the bloating can be from the antibiotics disrupting the gut microbiome and causing susceptibility to yeast overgrowth.
Antibiotics affect gut health and balance of the microbiota, killing the good and bad bacteria, allowing opportunistic candida/yeast to flare up, and inducing a pro-inflammatory response.
High-quality probiotics and probiotic rich foods can help restore balance. Limit sugar and carbs as they feed yeast. Bone broth is popular for post explant, it has gelatin/collagen and minerals to help the gut’s lining. Some women have taken antifungals (Difulcan, Nystatin). Antifungals can be hard on the liver, some avoid taking them and prefer to take herbs and natural antifungals. See Explant and scroll down to Post-Surgery Preparation and Tips for more.
Hello fellow fighters for our health!!
My surgeon is claiming he won’t send tissue to be tested. I’m willing to get it tested myself, if he will hand it over. I’m in Oregon and have no idea where to turn. My surgery is 1 week away!!
Thanks for any help, ideas you can share.
Hi Kelly, were you able to find answers? I live in Portland and I’m curious to know too.
Hi Lara,
I am in Portland too. I’d love to communicate with you!
Kelley, did you have your surgery? I am in Portland, and looking for local doctors and support. My best to you.
Hi all 🙂 I am also in Portland and wondering all of the same!
Why aren’t there MORE Lawyers Suing for this Dabilitating Illness [turn Disease]. We are MOTHERS, Daughters… Women. I am Outrag3ed at the LACK of attention and Care we are getting. I am SICK And TIRED In Every Way.
Ladies if you have ANY attorney information or get some Please SHARE it. Why is everyone keeping possbile Help/Justice a Secret??!! 🙁
Health, Healing an God’s favor on us All Ladies
DNA Connexions does not test breast implants or breast tissue. The test we do, tests on oral samples. The implants you mention that we do are Dental Implants. I do not know how to contact the person in charge of content on this website. But please remove this information as we have been receiving tons of women wanting to order our test for their breast implants and unfortunately we are not able to help them.
Hi Tiffany,
Thank you for your message. Women in the breast implant illness (BII) Facebook community have posted they used DNA Connexions to test their capsules (scar tissue) for microbes. One woman recently explanted in April 2019 and posted her results, DNA Connexions found high levels of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Serratai liquefaciens in her capsules.
Another woman posted yesterday in a BII FB group that she got a reply back from DNA Connexions stating: “This is not a sample we normally do on our tests. We can do the Oral Panel on the saline inside the implant or the tissue around the implant. The Oral Panel tests for 88 different pathogens. However, with this not being a normal substance we test on we cannot guarantee results, we have had successful results with using implants but we still have to say there is no guarantee. The price for the Oral Panel is 400.00. You would want to order the Oral Panel Tooth kit, but let me know when you decide if your ordering that way I can provide you a customized kit for what type of sample you are going to send.” She also received from DNA Connexions, “When you order the kit it typically takes about 5-7 days to reach you. We prefer to test the breast tissue around the implant. We don’t get very many results on the saline. Since you are having this done before the kit can reach you, you can have the doctor place the sample inside a sterile container with no liquid or solution added and put it in the freezer until the kit gets to you.”
Additionally, DNA Connexions used to offer a Full View Test and that is what was originally posted on this page. DNA Connexions listed on their website, “The Full View Test identifies bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites in removed teeth, blood, tissue, implants, bone grafts or other biological samples. It tests for 88 different pathogens, including tetanus, botulism, diphtheria, HPV 16 and HPV 18, Candida albicans and more. Using PCR, one of the most advanced tools in molecular biology today, specificity of this test is one in a trillion or greater and the sensitivity of the test is the ability to detect the DNA of between 1 and 10 microbes.”
In compliance with your request, DNA Connexions has been removed as a resource for capsule testing. For additional information, I can be contacted at [email protected].
I’m looking for a lab where I can store my implants which were removed. They are currently secured at the hospital but my attorney wants them to go to an independent lab. Im in the Crystal Lake or Dekalb area.
Hi Cynthia, I’ve been very sick because of my implants, in and out of hospitals and doctors office in the past eight months, I’m in the process of getting authorization to see the surgeon who initially did my surgery and hoping to have them removed as soon as possible, aside from all the pain in breast area and my ribs, I’m burning and itching from waist up to my scalp and tasting some chemical/chemicals in my throat, I feel the burning in my nose, eyes, etc. abdominal pain and roughly 70 other symptoms. I’m being poisoned everyday by all these toxic chemicals bleeding in my system.
I’m tired of being sick, mentally and emotionally exhausted, not sure how much longer I can go on.
You mentioned that you have an attorney, I’m searching for one as well before I gave a surgery, I’d like to secure my implants for additional testing as well.
Please let me know if I can consult with your attorney and if he may be interested in my case as well, I’d love to reach out to him I’d appreciate his contact information, thank you in advance for your support.
I have textured Mentor implants. One collapsed a couple years ago. I noticed a big mass above my right breast a year ago. It disappeared after 6 months, and a large bump showed up on my right clavicle. I am really sick right now. A CT Scan showed small “groundglass” collections, calcifications around my breast implant, 2 collapsed implants, etc. My doctors said the results were negative, maybe I always had a bigger right clavicle and just now noticed it (after 57 years, I just now noticed it?) and sent me home. I no longer have the big mass above the right right breast, so it can’t be tested. I have contacted plastic surgeons to interview for impant replacements. I don’t think any of them would be qualified to analyze this new Breast Implant Associated disease. And I am so sick right now. What do I do if my doctor won’t even look into this.
I understand what you’re going through. My Mentor implant has a rupture. How, I don’t know. I felt a fatty kind of lump on my left breast last year and put off getting it checked. Turned out it’s ruptured. When I came upon this site I started reading the symptoms of implant illness and I have almost everyone and they started around the same time I felt the lump. But never put 2 and 2 together because I am so busy. I also have some type of fluid build up around that area. I’m scared. I’ve called plastic surgeons and I can’t get an appointment for a month away. I feel like they don’t want to take me seriously. But if I was their wife or daughter it would be different. I know how you feel. I hope everything works out for you!!
Hi, I received this back from the pathology report and not sure how to decode- Is there some what of a cross walk available or that we can create between these tests and the the ones listed above? Happy to help gt this information if not available. I am just a little concerned I didn’t get all the tests I needed.
Organism Identified: Coag Negative Staphylococcus
Ampicillin/Sulbactam…… <=8/4 (S)
Cefazolin………………. <=4 (S)
Clindamycin…………… <=0.5 (S)
Erythromycin………….. <=0.5 (S)
Gentamicin……………… <=4 (S)
Oxacillin……………. 8 (R)
Rifampin……………….. <=1 (S)
Tetracycline……………. <=4 (S)
Trimethoprim/Sulfa…. <=0.5/9.5 (S)
Vancomycin……………….. 2 (S)
Hi Kara,
Thank you for sharing your pathology results! Those are all antibiotics identified (minus the staph)
Here is some information on the Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci:
“…increasingly recognized as agents of clinically significant infections of the bloodstream and other sites. Risk factors for CoNS infection include the presence of foreign devices (such as intravascular catheters) and immune compromise.
TREATMENT
Device removal — For patients with device-related infections, device removal is a critical component of management; it is unlikely that such infections can be managed successfully without device removal.”
I have been chronically exposed to mold over the last 6 years. I had my implant replaced in 2015. I recently got extremeley ill and had to move out of my house. I slowly started getting better, I found a doctor who specializes in mold illness, the first thing he told me was to have them removed because mold can get behind the implants and colonize. My first question is has anyone ever heard of this and second could it happen in a matter of 2 years. I AM MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY SICK OVER THIS, I FEAR IT WILL CAUSE A DIVORCE AND TEAR MY FAMILY APART.
I have mentor memory gel implants that were placed 2005. & now have been diagnosed with Sjogrens, lupus & bilateral parenchymal lung scarring. Major shortness of breath & fatigue. I see the plastic surgeon for consult on Explant tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Best of luck, Carla! Here is a list of questions to ask.
Mentor MemoryGel silicone breast implants were conditionally approved on November 17, 2006. Before then, from 2000-2006, women who had them were supposed to be placed in premarket approval studies and followed up on. Please report your symptoms and study follow-up to the FDA: MedWatch Online Voluntary Reporting Form. See here for some of the other reports submitted.
I am in your exact same boat. Please Let me know if you find an attny.
Carla, how were you diagnosed with parenchymal lung scarring? I have a lot of recently been diagnosed with reactive airway and have had relapses of bronchitis. My lungs feel like they are scarred. My pulmonary function test and CXR came back normal.
I had silicone implants put in in 2004 and I cannot find my paperwork on them. The plastic surgeon that performed the implant surgery is unable to perform anymore due to a loss of thumb in an accident. I have been ill for a year and extreme pain in my left breast .burning, and stabbing pains in neck, shoulder, chest and left arm. I have had multiple tests run and nothing showed up til I did the heavy metal test. It showed nickle content to be 12.2. I went to plastic surgeon prior to the heavy metal test and he said I had a lot of scar adhesion and my implants had pushed up higher. He also said he would not know if they were leaking til he got in there. Is there a site to pull up which implants I have by the Dr who was in the study? I’m scheduled the end of March to take out and replace with new ones. However; I’m afraid I may be toxic and could end up with some kind of disease. I need guidance and help on this issue. Please help. Thx R
Hi Rebecca,
You likely have either Mentor or Allergan implants, as these were the U.S. manufacturers enrolling women in silicone breast implant premarket studies in the early 2000s. Unfortunately, there is not a website to lookup the implant you have by the doctor who was involved in the study. However, you can try to contact Mentor and Allergan.
There was a lady in the breast implant illness groups who had luck with contacting Mentor and found out information in regards to the study she was enrolled in and her implants. She called the Mentor Cincinnati office (now Ethicon, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) and spoke with a clinical study administrator (Kelly Gregory at the time). The contact for that office (Ethicon in Cincinnati) is 513-337-7000, you can try to call and ask to speak with a clinical team/study administrator. You can try to also contact Allergan and ask to speak to a clinical team/study administrator.
Nickel is one of the many heavy metals used in manufacturing silicone breast implants, for the complete lists please see the Mentor MemoryGel SSED (refer to pg. 8) and the Allergen Natrelle SSED (formerly Inamed, refer to pg. 6).
Replacing implants is not recommended, symptoms will continue to progress. In the scientific article, “Systemic inflammatory disease resolution following cosmetic silicone breast implant removal” a lady replaced her implants and continued to have symptoms, it was not until removal that there was dissolution and recovery. This is commonly seen in the community, as the body can not heal until all foreign interference has been removed. Do not be worried about having a toxic disease, the most important part is to focus on proper explant with full capsule removal.
Hi!
I am having explant on Jan 12. I want my capsules and implants. I’m told I need a request in writing from an attorney. The request needs to have the specifics, such as solution and packaging or the hospital will send them to “the main lab” and they will be “cleaned” and then sent back to me, minus the capsules, “because they are considered Biohazard”.
Can you please help me with this?
Hi Lynne,
Please seek the advise of an attorney. For the specifics on solution and packaging you can try to contact the expert Dr. Pierre Blais, I will email you his contact. In case you can not reach him in time for your upcoming explant, I will also send you a document from Dr. Blais that contains some information on capsule/implant solutions for storage that you may find helpful.
I am struggling with this as well, can you please send this info to me as well.?
Can you email me this infor to get this done. I need to know how to get mine back. I am having surgery to remove cancer then they will remove implants the surgeon that I have to use with ONCO surgeon wont take pictures and I believe is going to give me a hard time with getting them back He said he didn’t know. My surgery is coming up in may Thanks
Having 2 sets of polyurethane textured silicone implants rupture in 1989, 1992.
Ultimately replaced with saline implants in 1995. Experienced the gamut of symptoms and illnesses discussed. In 2000 opted for explanation of the saline implants.
In 2002, lymph node resection and of course pathology was indicative of silicone.
Chronic bladder issues with microscopic hematuria and bowel problems from UC to IBC. Just recently thyroid issues, biopsy suggested strongly for malignancy. Surgeon doing ultrasound told me in general thyroid is crapping looking. Total thyroidectomy was done and no malignancy but cystic, gelatinous, deep orange colored nodules, felt to be silicone related. I feel better now the thyroid has been removed. Discomfort in neck and jaw going up to my ear is gone.
I am sure in 2000 when saline were removed, en bloc technique wasn’t done. Just scrapping the chest wall. Was told by surgeon there was a lot of silicone left in my tissues, described as chards of glass.
SO…should I consider having surgery done to go back inside and see what things look like? I am relatively highly functioning even though I have a lot of symptomology. I would appreciate your thoughts/suggestions. Thank you, Nina
Hi Nina,
Polyurethane textured silicone breast implants were some of the most harmful implants created. They were in production from about 1980 to when the manufacturer voluntarily withdrew them in 1991 due to significant safety concerns. They were made with aggressive chemicals on the surface to deter and weaken the immune system from forming scar tissue, thus they were a “new” attempt to reduce capsular contracture (a frequent problem with earlier implants). Among other things, adverse reaction reports indicated that the foam disintegrated and dissolved into the body, meaning it broke down into fragments and/or was “partially digested,” to the point where the foam surface disappeared – explanted implants in some cases had little to no coating left on them. Research found the polyurethane foam to breakdown into 2,4 toluenediamine (TDA), a known carcinogen. It was the first time breast implants were linked to cancer, which is interesting to note because modern textured implants are the second time breast implants have been linked to cancer (ALCL), and what they both have in common is a chemically abrasive fuzzy surface.
“The F.D.A. data show that the dissolution of the polyurethane begins immediately after implantation and that in some cases…the coating may dissolve almost completely within five years. The greater the rate of dissolution, the greater the cancer risk, the scientists said they believed.” Source: Scientists tie breast implants to cancer (link).
This background on the implants is important to note because it sheds light on their toxicity. Since those implants were prone to having their surfaces dissolve and the fact that you had two ruptures, the capsules must be completely removed. The capsules were in direct contact with the implants, containing and absorbing the silicone, chemicals, and heavy metals that came out of them. Do you have your explant post-operative report? It may no longer be available, but you can try to request your medical records to see what is noted about the capsule being removed. Many times surgeons who aren’t experienced in explants do not bother to fully remove them, and in your case you probably had multiple capsules forming from the three sets of implants. I would consider seeing Dr. Feng or Dr. Chun (he is less expensive), both are excellent options as top explant surgeons who are committed to full capsule removal and can handle complex cases. After removal of any remaining capsules, you can work on detox. Silicone toxicity expert and pathologist, Dr. Shanklin, did research on silicone detox and recommended taking inositol, see his inositol protocol. You can also research boosting your detox systems (lymphatics, liver, kidneys/bladder, skin, gut) and promote elimination of toxins. Diet is the best source of natural detoxification followed by gut health. See detoxification and healing for more information.
Ugh…so scary all this stuff!!!
On my thyroid pathology does the doctor have to specifically request for indications of silicone exposure?
They felt certain I had a malignancy and on examination after thyroidectomy it was benign although I was told my thyroid was crappy looking. Cysytic, gelatinous, hyperplasia etc. I have not seen my surgeon yet post op. I did tell him prior to the surgery about the silicone rupture. If necessary wondering if they can re examine my thyroid.
Generally pathology only checks for atypical cells and therefore additional things need to be requested, such as checking for silicone. In a scientific article investigating the dispersal of silicone droplets and silicone plaques in a woman with ruptured silicone breast implants, silicone droplets were found in the thyroid (see Table 1, page 2) along with silicone plaques (see Figure 6, page 6). It may be of use to show that research to your surgeon and pathologist.
I have asked a couple Dr’s and plastic surgeons now and they all have said I have to find a lab that will take the implants for testing
I am confused by this but really want to get a lot of these tests done, just a little overwhelmed on where to start when calling labs
Hi Shannon,
What kind of implants do you have and what kind of tests are you interested in? Generally it’s the capsules that need testing, not necessarily the implants unless they are saline and you want the fluid checked for mold or microorganisms.
Thank you for the quick response. I have Natrelle Smooth Silicone. I’ve had chronic sinus issues combined with many other auto immune symptoms with no diagnosis except the go to of Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia and have had multiple sinus surgeries with no success, just constant infection, pain, you name it…
I wanted to have tested for metals & fungi primarily but there is so much that could be tested for I’ve become overwhelmed to be honest and want to test for everything possible in hope to get answers
Various infections thrive with breast implants. The key is the interference with the immune system that can no longer regulate them.
In general, the Silicone Hypersensitivity Panel is popular, it tests for lymphocyte sensitivity to: Silicone, Silicates (silicon dioxide), Polyvinylpyrrolidone, Tin/stannous chloride, Titanium dioxide, Petroleum by products, Xylene, Toluene, Benzene, Latex, Phenol, Formaldehyde, Vinyl chloride, Green #5, Blue #2, Violet #2, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Aluminum.
More specific tests really depend on your symptoms. The APA Assay is a test for abnormal immune system response with fibromyalgia. For reoccurring sinus infections you might be interested in a MARCoNS nasal swab. “MARCoNS (Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci) is an antibiotic resistant staph that resides deep in the nasal passage of 80% of people with low MSH (Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone), those suffering from Biotoxin Illness and other chronic inflammatory illnesses.” Read more on this here. Chronic sinusitis has also been found to be caused by an immune system response to fungus, see: Mayo Clinic Study Implicates Fungus As Cause Of Chronic Sinusitis.
Heavy metals can be tested on hair, sweat, nails, saliva, blood, urine, or capsule tissue. Out of all of those, heavy metals in the hair, sweat and capsules would likely be most relevant for silent chronic illnesses, however these tests are expensive. The Carlson Company tests for heavy metals. A less expensive and more popular test is the Hair Trace Mineral Analysis (HTMA), which shows mineral deficiencies and heavy metal levels from chronic toxic exposure. This can be done by a functional medicine or naturopathic doctor. In the breast implant illness community there are three main professionals who do a lot of HTMAs, they are: Pippa Galea, Talismae Martin, and Dawn Strohm.
Fungi are more difficult to test for, but if you are having gut issues and food allergies then Candida IgM/IgG is a common yeast/fungal infection among us.
Thank you!
I had breast implants removed and now thru 3D Mammogram and an ultrasound they see an abnormal mass. Why can’t they tell if it’s a silicon particle or a cyst or cancer?
hi I have these death bags still inside me. . I would like to no where and what biotoxin tests I need any help?
Hi Vanessa,
Please see the tests page for a list of the biotoxin/mold tests: 1. VCS, 2. Lab Work, and 3. MRI+NeuroQuant Test.
A good starting point is with the free online Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VCS) Test and then if you are interested you can find a functional medicine or naturopathic doctor and request blood work (Alpha MSH, C4a, VEGF, ADH/Osmolality, TGF Beta-1, MMP-9, ACTH/Cortisol, Leptin, VIP) and if you have gut issues you can check for Candida IgM/IgG. Finally, the MRI+NeuroQuant test is excellent for showing brain inflammation from mold.
where do I send for analysis exactly? I’m getting procedure done very soon.
Hi Dana,
Ask your surgeon to send your capsules (scar tissue) to pathology and tell him what tests you would like to have done on them, such as to check for: bacteria, fungi, white blood cells, foreign materials, atypical cells, and CD30 if you have textured implants or ALCL symptoms. These tests are additional costs to the surgery, please inquire beforehand.
You can also request a detailed report inclusive of: pathological lesions, if there is any foreign material (such as silicone), lymphocyte infiltration, chronic inflammation, and histologic features.
Dr. Pierre Blais is a breast implant expert who analyzes them. After pathology they can be sent to him in Canada. However, he is currently backlogged and is not accepting any more material until he is caught up.
Hi there,
I was just reading about pathology and after interviewing several Dr’s (all on this list) they all test for different things and some don’t test at all – unless they see Dohe thing suspicious. I am lost and want to make sure that once I have my surgery abs they are in there that I get the appropriate testing to check for abs rule outcall the right things. How do I know what I should be wanting to be sure to get checked? I know I will pay put if oichet for extra texting but want to make sure I don’t miss something I should have had and since so many Dr’s are not in the same page with what is needed, I don’t know what is the best to have tested. Can you please help guide me? I’d so appreciate it. Thank you
Just a friendly update – there are now 60 women Diagnosed with BIA-ALCL on the private FB Group.
Hi Terrimc,
Thank you for this important update. There is also an ALCL page, if you have anything you would like to see shared or edited on there just let us know by comment or email ([email protected]).