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Rare Form of Cancer Linked to Breast Implants

Breast cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that the deaths of nine women were caused from a rare form of cancer which has been linked to their breast implants. Read on to learn about the link between certain types of breast implants and cancer, and contact an experienced Texas breast implant injury attorney with additional questions.

Textured breast implants linked to form of lymphoma

The FDA announced earlier this year that nine women who had received breast implants suffered from fatal cases of a rare form of cancer known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). These nine deaths are a subset of the total of 359 reports that the FDA has received of cases of ALCL. Among these reports, 231 included a description of whether the implants had smooth or textured surfaces: 203 were textured implants and 28 were smooth, leading many experts to believe that textured implants carry a greater risk of resulting in patients developing the rare cancer.

As far back as 2011, the FDA began to track an association between women who were developing ALCL who had also undergone breast implant surgery. Only recently has the agency felt like it had enough information on the link between implants and ALCL to publish a report on the perceived link. While breast implant surgery is one of the leading forms of plastic surgery worldwide, there is no international database on surgery that would allow researchers to track how common cases of breast implant-associated ALCL are worldwide.

What is anaplastic large cell lymphoma?

ALCL is a form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a type of cancer which originates in the patient’s immune cells. It is not breast cancer. The cancer appears to develop in the tissue immediately surrounding the implant. The World Health Organization now recognizes breast implant-associated ALCL as a rare form of cancer which can develop after breast implant surgery.

Identifying cases of implant-associated ALCL

Many of the women who have been diagnosed with implant-associated ALCL experienced symptoms such as asymmetry of their breasts due to swelling, as well as lumps and pain in the breast. These symptoms can be attributed to other causes, such as post-implant infection or a trauma, but when they are present along with other potential symptoms of lymphoma such as swollen lymph nodes or fatigue, implant recipients should visit their physician. Doctors can identify ALCL via a blood test.

If you or someone you love has been affected by a textured breast implant-associated illness in Texas, such as ALCL, find out if you have a claim for money damages for your injuries by contacting the Beaumont location of the Gilbert Adams Law Offices for a free consultation, at 409-835-3000.

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