[Silicone implants and breast cancer: real or fictitious problem? A case report and review of the literature].

We present a case of breast cancer 9 years after subcutaneous mastectomy for bilateral phylloid tumor with silicone implants. The patient had a stage III adenocarcinoma (T4 N1 M0) at diagnosis; a modified radical mastectomy was done, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Later on, Tamoxifen was prescribed (positive hormone receptors). Reviewing the literature about this subject in a context of a moratorium of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States recommending suspension of silicone breast implantation, we can propose several conclusions: Previous and recent studies did not show any direct relation between cancer and silicone implants for augmentation mammoplasty; on the contrary, a lower incidence of breast cancer is noted. Breast cancer incidence with silicone implants seems to be higher with reconstructive mammoplasty after mastectomy for benign disease (fibrocystic disease, dysplasia, phylloid tumor), or prophylactic reason, or malignancy (carcinoma in situ, lobular and multifocal carcinoma, early breast cancer...). This can be related to recurrence or cancer development on residual breast tissue. Breast cancer with silicone implants is of poorer prognosis because of the later diagnosis of the disease.