December 04, 2019 - The Recent Recall of Allergan Textured Breast Implants - At the end of August, the FDA determined there were potential dangers associated with Allergan textured breast implants, including the BIOCELL and Natrelle devices. These textured implants are associated with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Although the recall of these textured breast implants was prompted by the FDA, Allergan voluntarily recalled the affected implants.
Women who have suffered any BIA-ALCL symptoms are advised to speak to their physician immediately. An entire list of the recalled Allergan textured breast implants and tissue expanders can be found on the FDA website at https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/fda-requests-allergan-voluntarily-recall-natrelle-biocell-textured-breast-implants-and-tissue.
Do the Recalled Allergan Breast Implants Cause Cancer? Naturally, every woman who has a recalled textured breast implant will want to know whether the devices cause cancer. There have been more than 500 cases of BIA-ALCL associated with the recalled textured surface breast implants, with twelve deaths known to be associated with a recalled Allergan textured breast implant. It is believed that the texture of the shell surrounding the implant is the cause of the problems, with the body’s lymphoma response causing inflammation surrounding the implant.
While the cancer is limited to the scar tissue and fluids surrounding the implant in most cases, the cancer can spread to the lymph nodes, and throughout the body. If this occurs, the patient will be required to undergo radiation and/or chemotherapy. Women who catch the disease early have a good chance of surviving the cancer. Any symptoms of BIA-ALCL, including swelling around the implant, pain surrounding the implant, lumps under the armpit, or lumps in the breast require immediate medical assistance and should not be ignored.
Are There Currently Lawsuits Against Allergan? A number of women in New Jersey and California filed a breast implant class action lawsuit against Allergan in 2018, which is still pending. More recently, two women have filed a class-action lawsuit against Allergan, alleging the company’s textured breast implants resulted in a rare form of cancer. One of the women claims she began having symptoms of BIA-ALCL in February 2019—fourteen months after receiving Allergan BIOCELL textured implants.
The second woman, a California resident, received BIOCELL textured implants in 2016 and has subsequently been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL. The women are asking Allergan to pay for the removal of the implants—which the company has refused to do. Both women claim Allergan failed to report adverse events related to BIOCELL and Natrelle textured implants.
Should You File an Allergan Textured Breast Implant Lawsuit? If you have received a recalled Allergan Natrelle or BIOCELL textured breast implant and have subsequently experienced adverse symptoms related to the implants, you may want to consider breast implant litigation. This litigation can take the form of a breast implant class action lawsuit or an individual Allergan breast implant lawsuit. It is expected that as news of the recall spreads, more women will come forward to file breast implant class action lawsuits. The FDA is not currently advising patients with Allergan BIOCELL or Natrelle textured breast implants to have the implants removed unless they have symptoms of BIA-ALCL.
This disease can be diagnosed through a physical exam, an assessment of fluid and tissue in the implant area, or imaging techniques. It is advised that you first see to your health, then consider contacting a highly experienced breast implant lawyer. Our attorneys can help you determine whether an Allergan breast implant lawsuit is in your best interests.