Recently, there have been serious concerns raised about certain kinds of breast implants, causing a rare form of cancer referred to as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

BIA-ALCL is a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that can occur years after you’ve received a breast implant. Cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma have been diagnosed in as little as two years after a breast implant up to 30 years later. The median range for a breast cancer diagnosis is about eight years.

 

What Are the Facts About ALCL Cancer?

In 2011 the Food and Drug Administration issued a safety bulletin to doctors and their patients that acknowledged that some women with breast implants might face an increased risk of developing cancer in the scar capsule that’s around the implant.

 In 2016, several studies conducted by researchers worldwide caused the World Health Organization to revise its classification of lymphoid neoplasms to include breast implant-associated ALCL.

Additionally, it’s suggested that the cancer risk to women from breast implants could impact 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 10,000 women. There could be thousands of breast implant cancer across the United States.

Also in 2016, the Plastic Surgery Foundation and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network published information to educate doctors about the risk.

In March of 2017, the Food and Drug Administration issued an updated breast implant warning saying that more than 359 cases of BIA-ALCL have been identified throughout the world.

With almost 400,000 women in the United States getting breast implants every year, the cancer risk for some of these women is rising and can be extending dozens of years after the surgery.

 

What About the Textured Breast Implant Recalls? 

In July of 2019, the Food and Drug Administration announced that the Allergan breast implants were being recalled and all devices that featured the “Biocell” textured surface. 

There’s evidence to suggest that Allergan either knew or should have known about the cancer risks associated with Biocell textured implants. It’s also been alleged that Allergan failed to adequately research their product to warn patients about their possible risks. 

Research has also indicated that the breast cancer risk doesn’t appear to be impacted whether a saline or silicone implant is used, or whether the surgery was elective or reconstructive.

The problem with textured breast implants appears to involve the possibility of bacteria to adhere to the surface of the implant causing an immune system response that results in chronic inflammation. 

Studies have suggested that the rough texture of the breast implants could be irritating or causing an abrasion that is triggering an inflammatory response or immune reactions in a woman’s body. Other types of lymphoma can be caused by chronic inflammation.

 

What Kind of Compensation Could Be Awarded in Breast Implant Recall Settlements?

 You may be able to receive monetary compensation through a class action or individual breast implant recall settlements. The benefit you could receive includes:

  • Medical expenses – past and future
  • Lost Wages that are a result of you having your breast implants removed
  • Pain and Suffering
  • Being medically monitored for signs of breast implant ALCL

 

What are the Allegations Raised in Breast Implant Lymphoma Lawsuits?

Some of the most common allegations contained in the lawsuits against the breast implant manufacturers include but aren’t limited to: 

  • The design of breast implants was not adequately researched.
  • The manufacturers failed to warn doctors or patients about the potential side effects of breast implants.
  • The manufacturers failed to investigate possible reactions between their breast implants and living tissue in a woman’s body.
  • The manufacturers made false and misleading statements about the potential risks of breast implants.
  • The manufacturers failed to issue a recall of their breast implants after the risk of lymphoma was first identified or suspected.

 

What is the Timeline of Allergan Breast Implant Problems? 

  • In January of 2011, the Food and Drug Administration began warning patients and doctors about a possible link between breast implants and ALCL.
  • In June of 2017, a study showed that textured breast implants might carry a 10 to 14 times greater risk of developing ALCL than smooth breast implants.
  •  October of 2017 brought the results of another study that showed that many cases of ALCL are going unreported worldwide.
  • In March of 2018, the Food and Drug Administration became aware of 400 cases of breast implant lymphoma throughout the world. 
  • In April of 2019, Canada and France banned Allergan textured breast implants. 
  • In May of 2018, the Food and Drug Administration issued what is considered to be a controversial statement that indicated it doesn’t have enough information to remove the product from the market but increased the amount of data to be made available to patients.
  •  July 11, 2019, Australian regulators recommend that Allergan Natrelle implants should be banned.
  • On July 24, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration announces that Allergan has agreed to recall all of their Biocell microtextured breast implants.

If you or a loved one developed ALCL due to a breast implant, you should contact New York attorney, Gary Falkowitz to preserve your rights and receive all the compensation you deserve.