- With Mayo Clinic internist
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, certified by the American Board of Family Practice, has been practicing medicine at Mayo Clinic since 1995 with special interests in breast diseases and women's health.
She is a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, and the Breast Diagnostic Clinic. She is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native stresses education and patient-related research and has been active in both areas since joining Mayo Clinic. She is the primary investigator at Mayo Clinic of several clinical trials evaluating new agents for the prevention of breast cancer and identification of biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer. Her other research and clinical interests include managing the health of women who are at increased risk of breast cancer, breast pain and hot flashes, and developing patient education decision-making tools for breast-related concerns. She is director of the Breast Diagnostic Clinic and is a member of the Women's Health Executive Committee. Dr. Pruthi has been newly elected as a member to the board of directors for the American Society of Breast Disease. She has assisted with a variety of articles for MayoClinic.com.
"Having an opportunity to share information with my patients in the way that will help them to understand and be able to make educated decisions about their own health is very important to me," she says.
"The Web has become a major information site for people, and I want them to get the best and accurate information to be able to make informed choices for themselves, their family members and friends."
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Question
Silicone breast implants: What happens if they rupture?
What health problems can occur when silicone breast implants rupture?
Answer
from Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
The safety of silicone breast implants has been debated for years. There's no scientific evidence that ruptured silicone implants cause serious, long-term health problems, such as cancer or autoimmune disorders. The major problem associated with a ruptured breast implant is the formation of scar tissue in the breast, which can lead to pain and disfigurement.
When foreign material — such as an implant — is placed in your body, your body reacts by forming scar tissue around it. This is normal. If the scar tissue remains soft and pliable, it causes no problems. However, if a silicone implant ruptures, your body may react to this new foreign material — the leaking silicone gel — by forming additional scar tissue. The result may be a hard capsule around the implant that may distort the shape of your breast and cause pain or discomfort. Treatment may include surgical removal of the implant and scar tissue and insertion of a replacement implant.
Some women have no signs or symptoms when an implant ruptures. But others experience:
- Breast pain or tenderness
- Lumps in their breasts
- Decreased breast size
- Distorted breast shape
If you have breast implants and experience such signs or symptoms, see your doctor. Rupture of an implant can be confirmed by ultrasound, CT or MRI of the breast.
Breast implants, on average, last about 10 years before they need replacing. However, this varies depending on the individual and the type of breast implant. Your doctor may monitor your silicone breast implants with an MRI scan after the breast implants have been in place for three years.
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