What Type of Cancer Is Linked to Textured Breast Implants?
What Type of Cancer Is Linked to Textured Breast Implants?
When a manufacturer creates a breast implant, it needs ensure that the implant meets a certain standard in order for a surgeon to safely place them in a patient’s body. However, medical professionals have linked a certain cancer to certain types of breast implants, namely textured breast implants and tissue extenders produced by Allergan. If you have textured breast implants, you need to keep watch for the signs of this cancer and contact an Allegran breast implant cancer lawyer.
What Is BIA-ALCL?
Breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare type of cancer that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has linked to certain types of textured breast implants. The agency first discovered a possible link between this cancer and breast implants around 2011, and in 2019 issued an order for Allergan, a pharmaceutical company, to recall its textured breast implants.
Only certain breast implants under Allergan’s BioCell line have links to the BIA-ALCL cancer. If you have smooth implants, you do not need to worry about developing this cancer – the FDA has only linked Allergan’s textured products to its development so far.
You may want to check with your plastic surgeon to see what type of implants you have, if you do not already know. If you have any of the following textured implants, visit your doctor to check for symptoms of BIA-ALCL.
- Natrelle Saline-Filled breast implants
- Natrelle Silicone-Filled breast implants
- Natrelle 410 Highly Cohesive Anatomically Shaped Silicone-Filled breast implants
- Natrelle Inspira Silicone-Filled breast implants
You may also want to check with your plastic surgeon to see if he or she used the following tissue expanders during your surgery. The recall also applies to these devices.
- Natrelle 133 Tissue Expander with Suture Tabs
- Natrelle 133 Plus Tissue Expander
BIA-ALCL Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of BIA-ALCL typically do not appear in women until three to 14 years after the breast augmentation surgery, usually beginning around the eight to 10-year mark. You may notice the following symptoms during the first stages of the cancer.
- Breast enlargement
- Fluid buildup around the breast
- Asymmetry of the breasts
- Hardening of the breast
- Skin rashes
- Lumps in the breast or armpit
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is very important to visit your doctor right away. Explain that you have textured breast implants recalled by the FDA and that you believe you may have BIA-ALCL. The earlier your doctor catches the cancer, the greater your chances of survival will be.
What Is the Survival Rate of BIA-ALCL?
Fortunately, BIA-ALCL is a very rare type of cancer. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, one in every 2,207 to 86,029 women with the recalled breast implants can develop this cancer. However, the risk is still present and if you do have one of the recalled implants, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible.
As long as the doctors catch BIA-ALCL early, the cancer is curable. However, some women have died as a result of BIA-ALCL and the treatment can be lengthy and invasive. You may have to undergo surgery or, in advanced cases, have chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
What Damages Can You Collect in a BIA-ALCL Lawsuit?
If you have BIA-ALCL as a result of an Allergan textured breast implant, you may have to undergo significant treatment for your cancer. This ordeal can lead to thousands of dollars in medical expenses, lost wages during your recovery time, and significant pain during treatment. However, you can collect compensation for your damages through a BIA-ALCL lawsuit.
As soon as you receive your BIA-ALCL diagnosis, seek the services of an attorney working on the Allergan product recall. Depending on the impact that these implants have on you, you may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
If you have textured breast implants, it is important to visit a doctor as soon as possible to discuss what you should do next. Your doctor may recommend removal surgery and screen you for signs of cancer. Your attorney can guide you through the legal processes and help you claim the compensation you need to recover.