On July 24th, 2019, Allergan voluntarily recalled several breast implant products: BIOCELL® textured breast implants and tissue expanders. The published notice from Allergan says the recall does not apply to the company’s smooth or MICROCELL® breast implants. Allergan gave the cause of the recall as a precaution after global safety information has connected breast implants to a rare type of lymphoma.

If a doctor recently diagnosed you or someone you love with cancer stemming from Allergan breast implants, contact a Allergan breast implant cancer attorney at The Law Offices of Maloney & Campolo. We understand product liability law and can help you go up against Allergan or other breast implant manufacturers. You will only pay attorney’s fees if you receive compensation for your case.

What Are the Risks of Allergan Textured Breast Implants?

The day Allergan announced its voluntary recall, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also issued a notice regarding Allergan’s breast implants and tissue expanders. The FDA pushed Allergan to make the voluntary recall to protect women from a certain type of cancer called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). BIA-ALCL is relatively uncommon. It is a serious type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Patients with BIA-ALCL typically develop cancer in the fluids and scar tissues near the breast implants. However, it could spread throughout the rest of the body in serious cases – especially if left undiagnosed and untreated. Most patients fully recover from breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma after the surgical removal of the breast implant and surrounding scar tissues, as well as chemotherapy treatments in some cases. However, untreated BIA-ALCL can be fatal.

Symptoms of BIA-ALCL

Patients suffering from implant-associated lymphoma typically complain of pain and swelling at the implant site. Symptoms often occur years after receiving breast implants. If you notice any pain or swelling with Allergan breast implants, see a doctor immediately and contact an Allergan breast implant cancer attorney. A medical evaluation can analyze the fluids and tissues around your breast implants for signs of cancer. Most cases of BIA-ALCL have cancerous cells within the scar tissues and fluids near the implant, not within the breast tissue itself.

Allergan Breast Implants Involved in the Recall

The FDA and other health organizations continue to study breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma to gather more information about this rare type of lymphoma. As of today, the data is insufficient to answer questions about frequency in certain individuals over others, such as those with saline-filled implants versus silicone implants. Patients could develop BIA-ALCL with many different types of implants, but most cases involve textured models. Allergan’s latest recall involved six specific products.

  • Natrelle 133 Plus Tissue Expander
  • Natrelle 133 Tissue Expander with Suture Tabs
  • Natrelle 410 Highly Cohesive Silicone-Filled Anatomically Shaped breast implants
  • Natrelle Inspira Silicone-Filled breast implants
  • Natrelle Saline-Filled breast implants
  • Natrelle Silicone-Filled breast implants

The FDA has reported 573 cases of BIA-ALCL and 33 related deaths worldwide since 1997. Of the 573 known cases, 481 have involved Allergan breast implants. Of the 33 associated deaths, the brand of the implants is only known in 13 patients. Allergan created 12 of the 13 known breast implants in fatal BIA-ALCL cases. The FDA estimates the risk of developing lymphoma from Allergan breast implants is six times higher than with other manufacturers’ textured implants.

What To Do if You Suspect Allergan Breast Implant Cancer

If you have one of the recalled breast implant types but no symptoms of BIA-ALCL, the FDA does not recommend the removal of your implants or tissue expanders. It simply recommends patients to be aware of the symptoms and to see physicians if they notice pain or swelling around the implants. If you do notice symptoms, go to a doctor for an evaluation.

If you were affected by this recall or a physician diagnoses you or a loved one with breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma related to an Allergan product, call us today for a free consultation. Our Allergan breast implant cancer attorneys may be able to build a product liability claim against Allergan in pursuit of financial compensation while you focus on recovery. Call today for a free confidential case review with our experienced San Antonio trial lawyers.