FDA Reports Link Between Breast Implants and Cancer

Breast implants are very common and have been used as a cosmetic modification for several decades. According to some reports, breast implants are the second-most common cosmetic operation that women seek out. The most common procedure is liposuction. In 2015 alone, more than 300,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed. There are many different types of breast implants that are approved in the U.S., including saline-filled or silicone gel-filled implants.

Recently, the United States Food and Drug Administration reported that breast implants may be linked to a rare type of cancer. In the same report, the FDA stated that at least nine incidences of this cancer have been linked to breast implants.

The cancer at issue is referred to as anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or ALCL. It is a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that the FDA first began investigating in 2011. The FDA is now examining 359 reports that purport to identify a link with both saline and silicone solutions in breast implants. So far, studies indicate that the cancer typically develops 10 years after the implants were inserted and usually develops close to the area where the implant was inserted. There are some reported instances in which the cancer spread, however. Some of the most common initial symptoms reported associated with the cancer include pain and swelling at the site.

When it comes to the level of risk involved, the FDA’s statement said “all of the information to date suggests that women with breast implants have a very low but increased risk of developing ALCL compared to women who do not have breast implants.”

The FDA also noted that the condition can be treated, especially if it is identified during its early stages. The primary method of resolving the issue involves removing the implant and the capsule that encloses the implant. In some instances, chemotherapy and radiation are also necessary.

Although medical devices are intended to help us cope with painful medical conditions and other ailments, in some cases they cause severe pain and distress, or even death. When a manufacturer fails to provide proper warnings with a medical device, fails to design the device in a reasonably safe manner, or fails to disclose adverse studies regarding the device, individuals who received the device may be able to recover compensation. Although personal injury laws are different from state to state, most jurisdictions recognize both a strict product liability cause of action and a negligence-based cause of action when it comes to defective medical devices.

At Moll Law Group, our defective medical device lawyers have advocated on behalf of numerous victims throughout the United States, including in Illinois, Florida, California, and New York. We understand how stressful and confusing a lawsuit can be for you and your family. As a result, we will stand by you throughout the entire process and ensure that your rights are asserted along the way. For your free consultation, call us now at 312-462-1700 or contact us online.

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