Breast Implant Lawyer

Update: Drug Lawsuit Source is no longer accepting these cases. We regret we cannot assist you. You may want to contact a law firm in your area to see if they will accept your case.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare T-cell lymphoma that can develop following breast implants.

Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system. It refers to the cancer of lymphocytes, special white blood cells that fight infection. Lymphocytes are present in abundance in the thymus, spleen, bones, and lymph nodes, but can be present anywhere in the body, and thus, cancer can form in any part of the body.

In cases of breast implant-associated cancer, anaplastic large cell lymphoma appears in the tissue capsule surrounding the implant. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, you should reach out to a compassionate breast implant lawyer to discuss your legal rights and options. Our legal team can help you pursue a claim and demand justice.

Do Breast Implants Cause Cancer?

As of February 1, 2017, the FDA has received a total of 359 medical device reports of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma. That includes nine reported deaths caused by BIA-ALCL.

The FDA states that the risk factors of BIA-ALCL potentially include the methods used to create the surface texture of the implant and the role of biofilm in the implant.

This type of cancer is very rare, however. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Plastic Surgery Foundation, out of the 10 million women who have received breast implants worldwide, fewer than 10 cases of BIA-ALCL are diagnosed each year. One study estimates that one in 300,000 women are diagnosed.

Overall, current studies suggest that women with breast implants have a low but increased risk of developing anaplastic large cell lymphoma as compared to women who do not have breast implants.

What Types of Breast Implants Cause Cancer?

Studies on BIA-ALCL suggest that the surface type and the fill type of the implant may affect the development of cancer.

Of the 359 cases of BIA-ALCL reported to the FDA, 231 included information on the implant’s surface type:

203 were textured surface implants
28 were smooth surface implants

312 of the 359 reports included information on implant fill type:

186 contained a silicone gel fill type
126 contained a saline fill type

While the data on the type of implant is limited, it does suggest that breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma occurs more frequently with textured implants than smooth-surface implants. Researchers have not yet identified an underlying reason for this association.

BIA-ALCL is associated with both saline-filled breast implants and silicone gel breast implants.

What are the Symptoms of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma?

Symptoms of BIA-ALCL include the following:

Lumps
Persistent swelling in the breast area
Persistent pain in the breast area
Fluid collection in the breast area

If you develop these symptoms of BIA-ALCL, it is essential that you contact your physician immediately. You should also consider contacting a breast implant attorney to discuss your legal options.

How is Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Treated?

In many cases, BIA-ALCL can be treated by removing the implant and the capsule surrounding the implant. Some patients, however, may require chemotherapy and radiation to treat the cancer.

The FDA recommends that breast implant recipients follow standard medical recommendations, including following your doctor’s instructions on how to monitor the implants. Mammograms should be routinely scheduled, as well as MRIs if the implants are silicone gel-filled.

If you detect any changes around the implant site, contact your doctor immediately so that if BIA-ALCL is present, treatment is immediate.

Allergan Biocell Breast Implant Recall

Breast implant maker Allergan Inc. issued a worldwide recall in July 2019 for textured models, such as breast implants, because of a link to a rare form of cancer.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it called for the removal after new information showed Allergan’s Biocell breast implants with a textured surface account for a disproportionate share of rare lymphoma cases, according to the Associated Press.

The move follows similar action in France, Australia and Canada.

The FDA said that new data show a direct link to cancer with Allergan’s implants not seen with other textured implants.

“Once the evidence indicated that a specific manufacturer’s product appeared to be directly linked to significant patient harm, including death, the FDA took action,” said FDA deputy commissioner Amy Abernethy in a statement.

The following Biocell products have been recalled by the medical product manufacturer Allergan:

Allergan Natrelle Saline-Filled Breast Implants (previously sold as the McGhan RTV Saline-Filled Mammary Implant) in styles 163, 168, 363 and 468.
Allergan Natrelle Silicone-Filled Textured Breast Implants (previously known as Inamed Silicone-Filled Breast Implants) in styles 110, 115, 120, TRL, TRLP, TRM, TRF, TRX, TCL, TCLP, TCM, TCF, TCX, TSL, TSLP, TSM, TSF, and TSX.
Natrelle 410 Highly Cohesive Anatomically Shaped Silicone Filled Breast Implants in styles 410FM, 410FF, 410MM, 410 MF, 410 ML, 410 LL, 410 LM, 410 LF, 410 FX, 410 MX, and 410 LX.
Natrelle 133 Plus Tissue Expander
Natrelle 133 Tissue Expander with Suture Tabs

If you or someone you love has received one of these breast implants and have been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, you should contact an attorney about the possibility of filing a lawsuit.

Contact An Experienced Attorney About a Breast Implant Lawsuit

The criteria for filing an Allergan Biocell breast implant cancer lawsuit with a legal team include the following:

Diagnosis of Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) or BIA Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA- ALCL) — only textured implants.
Breast implants implanted as the result of a breast cancer diagnosis.
Informed by medical professionals the implants need to be surgically removed — likely due to predisposition to cancer.
Unable to assist individuals to obtain a higher settlement if they have been offered one previously.

If you underwent surgery to receive breast implants and later developed BIA-ALCL and its symptoms, you may be entitled to compensation from the implant manufacturer with the help of a dedicated breast implant lawyer.

Must be diagnosed with breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma
If unsure of the diagnosis, consultation with the client’s physician may be necessary. A biopsy can give a definitive diagnosis.
May have experienced symptoms of BIA-ALCL including swelling, pain, and fluid collection in the breast area
Implant does not have to still be in place