At the request of the American FDA (Food and Drug Administration), the pharma giant Allergan has recalled their breast implants with BioCell texture as their link has been established with a rare kind of lymphoma, that is the BIA-ALCL or the Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma which makes the nature of the cancer quite obvious. Contact Shamis & Gentile, P.A. to learn more about the Allergan recall or fill out a form to join the breast implant lawsuit investigation.
The breast implant Allergan recall products that have been recalled are Natrelle Saline, Natrelle Silicone, and Natrella Inspira Silicone-filled implants as well as the cohesive and anatomically shaped silicone-filled breast implant. Besides these implants, the recalled products also include tissue expanders. Tissue expanders are sacs that resemble balloons, which are expanded with salt-water which help the skin stretch so that the permanent implants can be later inserted. They include the Natrelle 133 Plus Tissue Expander and the Natrelle 133 Tissue Expander with Suture Tabs.
An Untimely Allergan Recall After Years Of Suffering
The truth is that this apparent Allergan Recall has been ordered only after several years of complaints from patients, their legal advocates, and even the doctors. The claim has largely been due to a collective experience of the patients where they have suffered from cancer after the implants have been surgically put there.
The surprising news is that before the recall in July 2019, 38 nations had already banned Allergan’s Biocell implants because of their tendency to cause BIA-ALCL. In March 2019, there was a two-day hearing held by the Food and Drug Administration where patients and doctors were given the opportunity to speak about the cancer-causing effects of these breast implants. As per the reports of the Food and Drug Administration, there have been 573 cases of the BIA-ALCL having been reported worldwide, out of which 33 cases resulted in deaths. In conclusion, Allergan implants were associated with 481 reported cancer cases.
It was in 2011 that the Food And Drug Association reported a link between these Allergan recall breast implants and the anaplastic lymphoma. Evidence has shown that this rare kind fo lymphoma occurs in women have textured implants rather than implants with smooth surfaces.
After that report, the evidence has only gotten stronger and stronger which has fully convinced the Food and Drug Administration about the dangers of this particular breast implant. In conclusion, it has said that the frequency of the occurrence of BIA-ALCL is very low, however, the risk is considerably higher than before. After a close inspection, it was also concluded that the cancer risk was more closely associated with the Allergen BioCell breast implants than other textured implant products.
What To Do If You Already Have The Implants?
As per the Food and Drug Association guidelines, if you already have the implants, you are advised to continue with your daily routine and have breast cancer checks done from time to time. If you find any changes in your breasts or have any concerns, immediately contact your doctor.
Also, if you have got the implants, you need not get them removed unless you have symptoms such as pain, asymmetry of breasts, lumps, and swelling.
So What Exactly Is The BIA-ALCL and How Does It Occur?
BIA-ALCL is a rare and slow-growing cancer that will most likely not impact most of the women with breast implants. So even if you have got these breast implants, it is very unlikely that you will get BIA-ALCL. Surprisingly, although it occurs near the breast area, it’s not breast cancer, but in fact, a type of a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma also known as the cancer of the immune system, as explained by the Food and Drug Association. It does not take place, not within the actual breast tissue, but the capsule of the fibrous scar that gets formed around the implant or even in the fluids inside the capsule called the seroma. When it becomes advanced, it can spread to the lymphatic nodes close to it and even rarely, they will spread throughout your body.
So What Can We Say In Conclusion about the Allergan Recall
In conclusion, we can say that there is hardly any chance that you will get this cancer. Even if you have gotten those particular breast implants from Allergan, there still are lesser chances of getting cancer. However, if you ever experience pain, disproportional breast size, swelling, etc, then you should be alarmed and report the changes to your doctor. Other than that, breast implants do not trigger cancer directly. However, if you are going to get a breast implant done, make sure your surgeon does not go for any of Allergan Recall products. Contact Shamis & Gentile, P.A. to learn more about the Allergan recall or fill out a form to join the investigation.
