A case of breast squamous cell carcinoma following breast augmentation with liquid silicone injection after 16 years

Abstract

Background Breast augmentation has been linked to various complications, including cancerous tumors. The majority type of breast cancer associated with breast augmentation is adenocarcinoma. Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast is extremely rare in both augmented and non-augmented women. Due to the low incidence, the possible origin and the mechanism of carcinogenesis of the breast SCC are not well understood. Here, we report a rare case of pure SCC 16 years after breast augmentation with liquid silicone injection. Case presentation A 51-year-old Japanese woman was suffered from prolonged breast fluid retention in her left breast. Multiple unknown foreign bodies caused difficulties to investigate the inflammatory focus with ultrasonography. After unsuccessful surgical drainage and antibiotics treatments, the long-standing fluid retention was surgically removed and pathologically investigated. SCC was found in the removed tissue, and the patient underwent a total left mastectomy followed by postoperative chemotherapy. Pathological analysis revealed multiple cystic structures with a hard shell which enclosed high viscous liquid. A qualitative analysis using a Fourier transform infrared spectroscope defined the liquid as pure silicon, which possibly caused the squamous cell carcinogenesis. Conclusions Although liquid silicone injection is not a current option for breast augmentation, the injected silicone could result in cancerous tumor generation after years. This case revealed that unphysiological substances could lead to unexpected biological reactions, which caused difficulties in diagnosis with our routine examination. It will be required that accumulate information from more cases and develop novel diagnostic equipment and biomarkers to address these artificial substance-derived tumors.

A Systematic Review of Breast Implant-Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…The patient reported by Soni et al was pregnant and underwent capsulectomy, implant removal, and mastectomy during her pregnancy, but chemotherapy and radiation were given after the pregnancy [ 14 ]. Four cycles of epirubicin, cyclophosphamide therapy, and four cycles of docetaxel therapy were used by Toyonaka et al [ 21 ]. Liu et al reported using gemcitabine combined with carboplatin followed by radiation therapy with the subsequent addition of capecitabine.…”

Breast implant-associated squamous cell carcinoma in a male patient: A case report and review of the medical literature

“…Malignant squamous transformation is known to develop in wounds involved with chronic inflammation. However, there is no experimental or clinical evidence to support expected findings of epithelialization of the implant capsule and subsequent squamous dysplasia in the pathologic evaluation of capsulectomy specimens ( 13 – 15 ). In this case study, we present a rare case of SCC of the breast with a rare mechanism of onset.…”

Penile squamous cell carcinoma originating from a silicone granuloma

“…In addition to penile SCC, three incidences of breast SCC following liquid silicon injection have been reported. 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 The standard procedure for breast augmentation has changed from liquid silicon injection to prosthesis implantation. Breast SCC is a histologically rare form of breast cancer.…”