Relation of free silicone to human breast carcinoma.

Of 12 women with carcinoma of the breast and coexistent silicone mastopathy, nine had had injections of liquid silicone for breast augmentation; three had leaking silicone-gel prostheses. The clinical findings indicated that early diagnosis was obscured by the silicone-induced mastopathy, which rendered the interpretation of physical findings and mammograms difficult. The pathologic findings were suggestive of a possible adverse effect of the presence of free silicone within the breast tissue, axillary nodes, and axillary fat. Although no causal relationship between silicone and breast carcinoma is implied, a heightened awareness of the possible coexistence of silicone mastopathy and breast carcinoma is necessary.