Lawyers Reviewing Breast Implant Lymphoma Cases Nationwide
The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential cases for women who have been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer linked to breast implants, known as Anaplastic Large Cell Lyphoma (ALCL).
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Reports of this form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma have been associated with textured breast implants sold by Allergan and other companies. It appears that the manufacturers knew or should have known about the link between their breast implants and cancer, yet failed to adequately research the problem or provide adequate warnings for women and the medical community.
As a result, financial compensation may be available through a breast implant cancer lawsuit for women diagnosed with a type of lymphoma that may have been described under a variety of different terms in recent years, including:
- Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL)
- Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
- Breast Implant Lymphoma or Cancer
- Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Following Breast Implant
- Late Peri-Implant Seroma
- Peripheral T-Cell Lyphoma
- CD-30 Expressing T-Cell Lyphoma
- Breast Implant T-Cell Lymphoma
- Other Non-Breast Cancer Lymphoma
To review a potential claim for yourself or a family member, contact the lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. to determine whether a breast implant settlement may be available. There are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained. Request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
Breast Implant Cancer Risk
In recent years, serious concerns have emerged about the risk of cancer from certain types of breast implants, now officially known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).
This rare form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, can emerge years after breast implants. Cases have been diagnosed from only two years after breast augmentation or reconstructive surgery, to up to 30 years later. The median breast implant cancer diagnosis is about 8 years later.
The cancer from breast implants develops in the fluid around the implant, not the actual breast tissue itself, so it is not breast cancer. While the exact cause is continuing to be researched, it appears that certain types of breast implants may increase the risk of cancer, including textured implants and large surface area implants.
- Cases of ALCL typically diagnosed between 2 years and over 30 years after breast implants received;
- In most cases, breast implant cancer is diagnosed about 8 years after surgery;
- Registry suggests cancer risk from breast implants may impact between 1-in-1,000 and 1-in-10,000 women;
- Thousands of breast implant cancer cases may exist in the United States.
The first warnings about the cancer risk from breast implants were issued in 2011, when the FDA issued a safety communication for doctors and consumers, acknowledging that women with breast implants appear to face an increased risk of developing this cancer in the scar capsule around the implant. However, even after these warnings, information about the breast implant cancer risk was not well known within the medical community.
In 2016, following a number of studies published by researchers worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) revised its classification of lymphoid neoplasms to include breast implant-associated ALCL.
That same year, the Plastic Surgery Foundation and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network both published information to help doctors understand the risk.
In addition, French regulators also called for manufacturers of textured breast implants to conduct biocompatibility testing to examine how textured implants react with live tissue.
In March 2017, the FDA issued an updated breast implant warning, indicating that more than 359 cases of BIA-ALCL have been identified worldwide. However, the true number of breast implant cancer cases is likely substantially higher.
In Australia, breast implant lymphoma cases increased dramatically after the agency began monitoring for the condition. In May 2017, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration reported that there have been at least 53 cases of BIA-ALCL detected in that country, indicating that the risk of ALCL may be between 1-in-1,000 and 1-in-10,000.
With nearly 400,000 women in the United states receiving breast implants each year, and the cancer risk extending for dozens of years after surgery, the lymphoma problems may result in thousands of cases.
Textured Breast Implant Recalls
While researchers continue to study the breast implant cancer risk, experts suggest that the lymphoma occurs most frequently with textured breast implants, which are made by several major manufacturers.
As opposed to smooth breast implants, textured implants are marketed as a way to encourage tissue to grow into the rough surface and help to anchor it.
Researchers have indicated that the breast cancer risk does not appear to be impacted by whether it is a silicon vs. saline implant, or whether the surgery was elective cosmetic breast augmentation vs. reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy.
It appears that side effects of textured breast implants may cause bacteria to cling to the device cause an immune system response that results in persistent inflammation. It is also possible that the rough textured breast implant surface may be irritating or abrasive, causing inflammatory response or immune reactions.
Other types of lymphoma are known to be caused by chronic inflammation.
In July 2019, the FDA announced that an Allergan breast implant recall that impacts all devices that feature the “Biocell” textured surface. Although the agency is not recommending that women have the implants removed, they must remain aware of the symptoms of lymphoma that may be caused by the implants.
Increasing evidence suggests that Allergan knew or should have known about the cancer risk with Biocell textured implants, yet failed to adequately research their product or warn about the risk of problems.
Breast Implant Recall Settlements
Financial compensation may be available through an individual lawsuit or breast implant recall class action claim, to provide:
- Past and Future Medical Bills
- Lost Wages Resulting From Removal of Breast Implants
- Medical Monitoring for Breast Implant ALCL
- Pain and Suffering
Timeline of Allergan Breast Implant Problems
January 2011
FDA first warns about potential link between breast implants and cases of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), involving rare cancer developing in the tissue surrounding some breast implants.
June 2017
Study indicates textured breast implants may carry 10 to 14 times the risk of BIA-ALCL than smooth breast implants, first raising public concerns about Allergan Biocell breast implants.
October 2017
Study warns that many cases of BIA-ALCL might be going unreported worldwide.
March 2018
FDA announces it is aware of about 400 cases of breast implant lymphoma worldwide.
April 4, 2019
Canada and France ban Allergan textured breast implants.
May 2, 2019
Despite worldwide ALlergan breast implant recalls, FDA issues controversial statement indicating that it does not have enough information to remove the product from the market. Instead the U.S. regulators indicate increased information will be made available to patients.
July 11, 2019
Australian regulators recommend Allergan Natrelle implants be banned nationwide.
July 24, 2019
FDA announces that Allergan has agreed to recall all Biocell microtextured breast implants, recommending that women be closely monitored for symptoms of BIA-ALCL.
Allegations Raised in Breast Implant Lymphoma Lawsuits
The breast implant cancer lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing individual cases for women diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), as well as the potential for breast implant class action lawsuits for women who received certain textured implants. Some of the allegations that will be raised in lawsuits against breast implant manufacturers include:
- Failure to Adequately Research the Design of Breast Implants
- Failure to Warn About the Potential Cancer Side Effects of Breast Implants
- Failure to Investigate Possible Reactions Between Breast Implants and Live Tissue
- Providing False and Misleading Statements About the Potential Breast Implant Risks
- Failure to Issue Breast Implant Recalls After the Risk of Lymphoma was First Identified or Suspected
Breast Implant Class Action Lawyers
Sainotz & Kirk, P.A. is a nationally known injury law firm that is focused exclusively on representing individuals. We do not represent corporations or insurance companies.
Over the course of more than 40 years, our personal injury lawyers have collected more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients in cases of medical malpractice, automobile accidents, product liability and other personal injury lawsuits.
All breast implant cases are being handled on a contingency fee basis, which means that there are never any out-of-pocket costs to hire our lawyers and we receive no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.
Protect your family and find out if you or a loved one may be entitled to a breast implant cancer settlement following a diagnosis of anaplastic large cell lymphoma or another form of cancer that may have been caused by implants used during breast surgery.