This week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a voluntary global recall of Allergan’s Biocell textured breast implants, because they potentially are linked to the development of large cell lymphoma, which is a rare form of immune system cell cancer. Earlier this year, Allergan’s textured breast implants were taken off the European market and recalled for the same reason.
The FDA does not suggest patients with these types of breast implants get them removed if they don’t have symptoms, because the risk of cancer is low.
"The risk of contracting BIA-ALCL is very low, so unless there are symptoms such as a sudden swelling of the breast years after surgery, women do not need to have their implants removed. However, we recommend all women get their implants checked regularly by their surgeon," says William J. Koenig M.D., board-certified plastic surgeon at the Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery (Rochester, NY).
In the U.S. textured breast implants account for only 10 percent of all the breast implants sold in the U.S., according to the FDA.
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