Tens of thousands of defective silicone breast implants were recalled in Europe in 2011–12 soon after the FDA’s unrelated announcement that a rare cancer of the immune system was associated with all saline and silicone gel breast implants. These developments raised questions about whether U.S. and European regulations were protecting patients from unsafe medical implants.
In the US, breast implants are regulated as high-risk medical devices that must be proven reasonably safe and effective in clinical trials and subject to
government inspection before they can be sold. In contrast, clinical trials and inspections have not been required for breast implants or other implanted devices in Europe. As a result of these differing standards, the PIP breast implants that were recalled across Europe had been removed from the market years earlier in the US. Nevertheless, the FDA track record on breast implants indicates that studies have provided limited information about safety.
The authors conclude that neither the European Union nor the US has used their regulatory authority to ensure the long-term safety of breast implants.
However, in 2012 the EU announced regulatory changes that could improve that situation.
To see the official summary: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23245415