The Driscoll Firm, LLC, is now reviewing the claims of women who may have developed a deadly form of cancer associated with breast implants.

In March 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that the agency had received 359 reports of cancer associated with breast implants, including the deaths of nine women who were diagnosed with anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) – a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Most cases involved breast implants with textured surfaces.

If you have developed breast-implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), you may be eligible to recover compensation for your medical expenses, pain, suffering and more. Contact The Driscoll Firm today to learn about your legal options. Our firm has a national reputation for complex civil litigation and a record of seeking justice for clients from across the country. We can provide a timely and free review of your case.

What Problems Are Associated with Breast Implants?

Surgeons use breast implants to enlarge a woman’s breast size or to rebuild breast tissue after the woman underwent a mastectomy or suffered other breast damage. The implants contain a saline or silicone gel filling, while their outer shells are made of silicone. The surface of the shell may feature a textured or smooth finish. As The New York Times reports, newer, anatomically shaped implants tend to have the textured finish, which helps the implant to stay in place.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that roughly 290,000 women receive breast implants each year in the United States. However, breast implants carry risks. The FDA reports that those risks include:  

• Capsular contracture (scar tissue forms around the implant and squeezes it)
• Implant rupture
• Pain in the breast area
• Changes in breast and nipple sensation.

In 2011, the FDA reported that, in addition to those risks, there was a “possible association” between breast implants and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). At that time, the FDA said it needed to study the issue more. However, in March 2017, the agency joined the World Health Organization (WHO) in recognizing ALCL as a rare type of T-cell lymphoma that can develop after a women receives breast implants.

What Is BIA-ALCL?

Breast-implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a type of blood cancer. It impacts white blood cells, or lymphocytes. Those cells are a part of the body’s immune system, which fights infections.

According to the FDA, medical studies indicate that BIA-ALCL tends to develop in the fluid that surrounds a breast implant or in the capsule of scar tissue near a breast implant, but it does not develop in the breast tissue itself.

A study published in May 2017 in the journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, reported that, on average, 5 to 10 years pass between a woman’s implant surgery and development of BIA-ALCL symptoms. Those symptoms include:

• Pain
• Lumps
• Swelling
• Asymmetry.

Additionally, the FDA reports that BIA-ALCL occurs more frequently with textured breast implants. Out of the 231 reports of BIA-ALCL that the FDA received through February 2017 with information about the implant surface, 203 involved textured implants, or 88 percent, the agency states.

If a woman develops breast-implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, she may need to undergo extensive medical treatment such as:

• Removal of the implant
• Removal of tissue surrounding the implant
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation treatment.

In addition to seeking medical attention, a patient should also protect her legal rights by getting help from an experienced medical product injury lawyer.

How Can The Driscoll Firm Help You?

The Driscoll Firm has extensive experience with litigating cases that involve defective medical devices. Our attorneys have served as class counsel, state liaison counsel and members of committees that guide nationally significant product liability litigation. We are fortunate to have assisted thousands of clients across the country.
We can use our skill, experience and resources to seek full compensation for the harm that you have suffered due to a defective breast implant. Contact us today to learn more in a free and confidential consultation.