I Was Just Diagnosed With Breast Cancer - Do I Have To Have My Implants Removed?I Was Just Diagnosed

More than 300,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the United States, according to data from the American Cancer Society. In fact, breast cancer accounts for roughly 30% of all annual cancer diagnoses among women, exceeded only by skin cancer.

There’s no denying a breast cancer diagnosis is stressful, leaving you with lots of questions and concerns. If you have breast implants, one of those questions is undoubtedly about whether you need to have those implants removed as part of your cancer treatment.

Rishi Jindal, MD, and the team at Rejuvenate Plastic Surgery understand the anxieties and worries surrounding a cancer diagnosis. In this post, learn whether implant removal is recommended and what to expect during and after the removal procedure.

Breast cancer and implants

Breast cancer diagnosis doesn’t always require removal of your implants, but it’s usually advised and, with some cancers and cancer treatments, necessary. Your oncologist can determine if removing your implants is a good choice for your treatment and your health.

Some cancers, like breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), are directly associated with the implant or the tissue surrounding it. These cancers are very rare, and if they do occur, removing the implant is a necessary part of treatment. 

Other types of breast cancer require mastectomy surgery to remove all or most of the natural breast tissue. These treatments also require removal of your implant as part of the treatment process.

But even when the treatment itself doesn’t require implant removal, many women still decide to have their implants removed during or prior to their treatment. That’s because some cancer treatments, like radiation, can cause the implants to change shape. Treatments can also cause considerable discomfort or pain when the implant is left in place, or it may increase the risk of infection around the implant.

Breast implant removal

Breast implant removal is a straightforward procedure. Once you’re anesthetized, Dr. Jindal makes an incision near the implant, then gently slides the implant out of its pocket. 

After closing the incision, Dr. Jindal applies a compression garment to reduce swelling and aid in healing. He works closely with your oncologist to ensure your implant removal surgery is coordinated with your breast cancer treatment.

After completion of your cancer treatment and once you’re in remission, we can discuss placing new implants, along with other surgeries to reconstruct the breast area so you feel comfortable and confident.

Schedule an implant evaluation

Prior to removing your breast implants, Dr. Jindal reviews your medical history and contacts your oncologist to coordinate care. To learn more about implant removal, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Jindal and the team at Rejuvenate Plastic Surgery in San Diego, California, today.