The link between breast implants and specific types of cancer has been suspected for years. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed that people with breast implants are exposed to a higher risk of developing anaplastic large cell lymphoma. If you have been diagnosed with breast implant lymphoma, make sure you call an attorney who has experience with such cases. A product liability attorney is the one you need.
In February 2019, the FDA announced that the number of women who developed cancer after having implants is constantly increasing. Nine people in the USA have died from BIA-ALCL.
BIA-ALCL can develop in various parts of the body, including the lymph nodes and skin. It is important to mention that it is not breast cancer.
Some of the manufactures of breast implants are Mentor/Johnson & Johnson, Allergan/Actavis, and Sientra. The implants that are known to increase risks of BIA-ALCL are made of silicone gel or saline with a textured or smooth surface.
Patients who develop BIA-ALCL usually undergo surgery to remove the implant. Some patients may be treated with radiation and chemotherapy. It can take up to 10 years for the disease to manifest in patients.
Here are some of the symptoms of BIA-ALCL:
- Hardening of the implants or mass around them
- Pain
- Breast implant cancer detection
- Breast lumps
- Fluid buildup
- Swelling
How is BIA-ALCL diagnosed?
After the patient gets the upper-mentioned symptoms, the doctor will do several tests that will help them diagnose the disease.
The patient will undergo physical exams, chest X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and ultrasound imaging tests.
Often doctors get fluid samples for testing. Positive results include the presence of malignant T-cells.
Do you qualify for a breast implant-related anaplastic large cell lymphoma lawsuit?
The best way to know this is to call an attorney who works on such cases. If you had a breast augmentation surgery (no matter if it was cosmetic or reconstructive) and developed BIA-ALCL, you can file a lawsuit.
It does not matter if your diagnosis was placed years after you got your implants; you still have the case. Remember that BIA-ALCL takes around ten years to develop after the surgery.
Breast implants linked with ALCL, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and T-cell Lymphoma
ALCL is not cancer of the breasts but cancer of the immune system. It is a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that involves the abnormal production of T-cells. The FDA was aware of sixty cases around the world, according to their 2011 report. All of the patients had breast implants and developed ALCL. The FDA saw a potential link between breast implants and the illness. The cancer was located in the area surrounding the implants.
In March 2018, the FDA announced more information about the link between breast implants and ALCL. They recognized breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) as its own subtype of T-cell lymphoma or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The FDA informed that, as of 2017, had received 414 reports of BIA-ALCL, including nine reports of patient deaths. The highest incidence of BIA-ALCL was found in patients with textured-surface breast implants filled with silicone.
On the other hand, patients with smooth-surface implants had a much lower risk of developing BIA-ALCL. Patients with saline-filled implants had a slightly lower risk. The FDA urged patients and doctors to speak about the risks and benefits of textured versus smooth-surface implants before breast implant surgery.
Should you remove the implants if diagnosed?
FDA was clear that not every person who has an Allergan BIOCELL implant should remove it. If you have the upper-mentioned symptoms, visit your doctor; they will tell you whether you have ALCL and if you should remove your implants. You only have a breast implant lymphoma lawsuit if you are diagnosed with ALCL.
Filing a lawsuit
In 2019, the FDA released a statement where it requested Allergan, the global pharmaceutical company, to recall their textured breast implants. For the past six years, many patients with such implants developed BIA-ALCL.
An eligible person to file a lawsuit is the one who got any type of the infamous breast implants of this company.
We are representing women who have been diagnosed with ALCL after getting the textured breast implants made by the company.
Call our firm today and, let us take your case. Our team of attorneys will listen to you and tell you if you have a case or not. We are ready to help you get your claim.
