# Breast implant illness (systemic symptoms with breast implants)

Source: https://onco.cc/terms/breast-implant-illness/  
OnCo record `breast-implant-illness` (Term). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

Some people with breast implants report tiredness, memory problems, rashes and joint pain that they call breast implant illness. The FDA says these symptoms and their cause are poorly understood, and that removal without replacement has been reported to help some people.

## Summary

The FDA's risks and complications page says: "Symptoms such as fatigue, memory loss, rash, 'brain fog,' and joint pain may be associated with breast implants. Some patients may use the term 'breast implant illness' (BII) to describe these symptoms." It adds that "These symptoms and what causes them are poorly understood" and that "In some cases, removal of the breast implants without replacement is reported to reverse symptoms". The FDA published an analysis of medical device reports of these symptoms on 20 August 2020 and asks patients to report them through MedWatch.

## Fields

- Kind: Term
- Last checked: 2026-11-04
- Also known as: BII; Breast implant illness; Systemic symptoms of breast implants
- Tags: devices-gaps-2026-11

## Sources

- FDA: risks and complications of breast implants: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/breast-implants/risks-and-complications-breast-implants
- FDA: breast implants (safety communications and labeling guidance): https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/implants-and-prosthetics/breast-implants

## Connected records

- terms: [Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma](https://onco.cc/terms/bia-alcl/), [Squamous cell carcinoma and lymphomas in the capsule around breast implants](https://onco.cc/terms/breast-implant-capsule-cancers/)
- technologies: [Breast implants for reconstruction (silicone gel, saline and shaped cohesive gel)](https://onco.cc/technologies/breast-implants/)

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JSON: https://onco.cc/api/v1/entities/breast-implant-illness.json