Breast Implants and Cancer
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2011 warned women with breast implants to contact their physicians right away if they experience any of the following symptoms, as they may be a sign of a rare type of cancer called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL):
- Breast Pain
- Lump in the breast
- Swelling
- Asymmetry that develops after breast implant surgery sites were fully healed
FDA’s warning was based on a review of scientific literature which found at least 34 cases of ALCL in women with both saline and silicone breast implants. The agency said it was aware of about 60 cases of the cancer in breast implant recipients worldwide.
Leaking Breast Implant Lawsuit Filed Against J&J
A product liability lawsuit filed in California in February 2017 alleges that breast implants sold by Johnson & Johnson’s Mentor subsidiary are defective and prone to leaks. The complaint was filed by Plaintiff Rexine Mize, who claims that leaking breast implants caused her severe muscle pain, nausea and other health problems. Mize further alleges that the problems could have been predicted if J&J had conducted government-mandated studies on its breast implants.
Infections
Most breast implant infections appear within a few days or weeks after the initial implant surgery. In severe cases, infections can cause toxic shock syndrome or even death. If the infection is serious, the implant should be removed and replaced after the infection is gone.
Breast Implant Complications
- Implant Rupture
- Capsular Contracture (implant too tight)
- Leaking Implant
- Infection
- Toxic shock syndrome
- Implant failure
- Explosion
- Removal surgery
- Revision surgery
- Cancer
- Lymphoma
- Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL)
- Lung Cancer
- Lupus
- Scleroderma
- Fibromyalgia
- Scleroderma
- Neurological Diseases
- Rheumatological Problems
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Esophageal Motility
- Raynaud’s Syndrome
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Connective Tissue Diseases
- Systemic Fungus
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
- Breast pain
- Upper or lower back pain
- Chemical sensitivity
- Muscle pain and/or stiffness
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Achy or swollen joints
- Rash
- Anemia
- Sensitivity to sunlight
- Kidney problems
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Fever
- Difficulty swallowing and/or breathing
- Death
- And more
Lung Cancer
In November 2015, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found a link between silicone breast implants and lung cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren syndrome and Raynaud syndrome. However, the same study also linked breast implants to a decreased risk of breast cancer and endometrial cancers.
Symptoms of a Ruptured Breast Implant
- Change in breast size or shape
- Pain, soreness, or swelling in the breast
- Lumps in the breast
- Hardening or softening of the breast
- Capsular contracture (implant feels too tight)
FDA Update on Breast Implant ALCL Link
March 21, 2017 – The FDA has updated its understanding on the risk of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) with breast implants, stating that the cancer is more likely to occur in women whose implants have textured surfaces. As of February 1, 2017, the agency has received at least 359 medical device reports (MDRs) of BIA-ALCL, including 9 deaths. The vast majority of these incidents occurred in women with textured breast implants, according to the FDA.
Do I Have a Breast Implant Class Action Lawsuit?
The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in breast implant lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new breast implant complications cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you had breast implants and suffered one or more of the above problems, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a lawsuit and we can help.