The medical watchdog has taken regulatory action against all breast implants sold in Australia over fears of a rare form of cancer.

Eight types of “macro” and “micro” textured implants will be recalled and banned for the next six months while their manufacturers address “a number of safety and performance concerns”, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) announced on Thursday.

The crackdown will affect all implants and breast tissue expanders - used for mastectomy breast cancer patients - with the TGA imposing strict conditions across the implant market.

It follows an exhaustive investigation, 23 deaths worldwide and international concerns over more than 700 confirmed cases of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).