The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a report bout the risk for anaplastic large-cell lymphoma in women with breast implants. The FDA issued the alert, noting that almost all cases of implant-caused lymphoma have involved implants with textured rather than smooth surfaces. The implant texturing, which is used to help anchor the breast implant, is said to cause constant inflammation, and later lead to cancer.
Of the 359 global cases of breast implant-caused cancer reported to the FDA, there have been at least 12 deaths. The cancer and death toll is likely much higher, as the statistics only rely on voluntary reports from patients and doctors.
The FDA said they have known about this rare cancer occurrence since 2011, and have since strengthened their understanding of the condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also expressed concern over breast implant-associated T-cell lymphoma that can develop following breast implants.
Allergan has recalled textured breast implants due to added BIA-ALCL risk.
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Textured Breast Implant Cancer
Roughly 400,000 women receive breast implants each year in the United States. An estimated one in 30,000 women with textured implants will develop the cancer. The material of the implant—silicone or saline—has not been found to affect one’s risk. The cancers from textured implants have been diagnosed anywhere from two to 28 years after implantation, with a median diagnosis of eight years.
As breast implants have gained in popularity over the years, medical experts fear the breast implants lymphoma risk could encompass thousands of women across the country. In the years 2000 to 2016, the number of breast augmentation surgery rose 37 percent in America.
The FDA first learned of the risk in 2011 and implant product labeling was added. The label warnings on Allergan and Mentor implant packaging however, are listed among several other less severe complications and can get lost in the small print.
Implanting surgeons are encouraged to warn patients of the breast implant lymphoma risk, but it is estimated that only around 30 percent of doctors discus the risk of cancer with patients.
FDA Breast Implant Warnings
The FDA has proposed a risk assessment checklist and boxed warning after hundreds of reported cancer cases came to the attention of the agency. Many patients say they had clue there were risks associated with implants before having surgery.
The FDA wants a boxed warning that tells patients that breast implants do not last a lifetime, and that the chances of developing complications increase the longer they have the implants. The warnings should also highlight the link to anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and describe some symptoms of cancer patients should be aware of.
The checklist could warning women that if they smoke or have diabetes or autoimmune disease, they may have additional risks after surgery, including chronic pain or loss of sensation.
What is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a common cancer of the blood—the two main forms of lymphoma being Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Lymphoma occurs when cells of the immune system, types of white blood cells, multiply uncontrollably.
It is not known entirely why breast implants cause T-cell lymphoma in the breast, though some medical professionals surmise that bacteria attached to the textured implant creates an immune system reaction within the body of a woman.
Symptoms of this rare form of lymphoma include, pain, a swelling around the breast and a buildup of fluid around implants. If detected early on, the cancer is generally treatable.
Affected patients are encouraged to remove their implants immediately along with the other damaged tissue in the breast. About 85 percent of cases are resolved after surgery. If the cancer has spread, however, chemotherapy and radiation may be necessary.
Breast Implant Cancer Risks
The FDA recommends that women consider a few things before undergoing breast implant or breast augmentation surgery, including:
- Breast implants are not meant to be left inside the body forever, and the longer implants they remain in the body, the more likely the need to have them removed.
- Additional surgeries and revision surgery is likely because breast implants are not lifelong devices and complications occur frequently.
- Breast implant removal or replacement may not be covered by individual insurance plans.
- Some breast implant models have been recalled after being deemed defective.
- The longer breast implants remain, the more likely you are to develop related complications and cancers, which may be irreversible.
- Breast implant complications may include capsular contracture, implant removal, rupture or deflation, asymmetry, scarring, pain, and infection.
- Patients should read the product labeling and other educational materials carefully and discuss any questions you have with your surgeon.
- If you have breast implants removed, you may experience changes to your natural breasts and undesirable cosmetic changes.
- Breast implants need to be monitored, and some doctors recommend magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound tests to screen for breast implant rupture and other complications.
- If you notice any unusual changes in your breasts or implants, contact your surgeon or health care provider as soon as possible.
- There is a risk of developing breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) in the breast or scar tissue surrounding the implant. There is a risk of death for patients diagnosed with BIA-ALCL.
- Breast implant patients report symptoms such as chronic fatigue, brain fog, joint and muscle pain, which has been described as “breast implant illness (BII).”
