Allergan Breast Implants Have Been Recalled for Causing Cancer
Allergan’s textured breast implants were just recalled due to their link to a rare and unusual cancer: Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. This cancer of the immune system develops in the tissue around the implant and if found early, can be cured by removing the implant and scar tissue surrounding it. Researchers found that the texture and the outside coating material were the main problems causing the cancer, not the silicone or saline inside. It can happen to women who use the implant for breast enlargement or for breast reconstruction due to having a mastectomy, but they do not need to have them removed. They just need to monitor for symptoms which include swelling and fluid accumulation around the implant. If this occurs, the fluid needs to be drained and tested for cancer. Doctors also need to stop using them and return any inventory.
Allergan is not the only company that makes these types of implants, but it is the company that is most associated with this type of implant. These implants are not very popular in the United States and only take up five percent of the implant market, but they are far more popular in Europe and have already been recalled in countries over there.
The worldwide medical device market is a more than 200 billion dollar a year industry. While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews safety notices, conducts post market surveillance, and issues recalls for medical devices used in the US, manufacturers have pushed the limits of the FDA approval process to capture their part of the lucrative medical device market. Many devices have made their way to market without the rigorous testing or clinical trial process most consumers would expect. These devices are then used on people and in this case cause cancer, or in other cases cause painful, irreparable injuries.
Recalled Products:
- Natrelle Silicone Filled Breast Implants
- Natrelle Inspira Silicone Filled Breast Implants
- Natrelle 410 Highly Cohesive Anatomically Shaped Silicone Infused Implants
- Natrelle 133 Plus Tissue Expander
- Natrelle 133 Tissue Expander with Suture Tabs
If you were diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma because of an Allergan breast implant or were injured by a different medical device, you may be entitled to compensation. Call us at 412-471-3980 or fill out our contact form to learn more. We look forward to helping in any way we can.
