Breast implant-associated ALCL is a rare type of cancer that develops around breast implants. In the United States, the FDA has reported 9 deaths and over 359 cases of ALCL in women with breast implants.
The FDA also warned that textured breast implants were more likely to cause cancer than smooth-surfaced breast implants. In Australia, 90% of women with breast implants have textured-surface implants.
Breast Implant with Lymphoma
Australian researchers recently published a study estimating that textured breast implants were 14X more likely to cause ALCL than smooth-surfaced implants.
Experts have been raising concerns about textured implants for years. In 2014, another study in Australia discovered that textured breast implants were more likely to develop a bacterial coating called a “biofilm” vs. smooth implants.
This may trigger low-level inflammation and immune system reactions that cause lymphoma to develop in the fluid around the implant.
ALCL is a fast-growing cancer and it can be deadly without treatment. The symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, night sweats, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin.
Source: Update – additional confirmed cases of anaplastic large cell lymphoma