There also have been concerns about possible, but unproven, effects on health. Most of the health concerns about breast implants are related to silicone gel. Even if a silicone gel-filled breast implant does not rupture, small amounts of the silicone fluid or oil may bleed out of the implant and migrate into the surrounding tissue. These other illnesses are discussed below. The body s immune system is the network of cells that protect against infectious diseases.
Antibodies are one type of substance the body produces to fight off infectious agents.
CTDs and related disorders of the body's immune system are related to the connective tissues of the body, which include fibrous tissues, cartilage, and bone that support body structures and bind body parts together. Some CTDs are autoimmune diseases that occur when a woman s immune system attacks her own cells as if they were foreign. However, this is not considered a defined disorder. These signs and symptoms include pain and swelling of joints tightness redness or swelling of the skin swollen glands or lymph nodes unusual or unexplained fatigue swelling of the hands and feet excessive hair loss memory problems headaches muscle weakness or burning Signs and symptoms such as these may be present in women without CTD or related disorders or without breast implants. Individual cases alone cannot scientifically prove or disprove a connection between CTDs and related disorders and breast implants.