Breast implants linked to rare cancer

Scammer

Banned
t1larg.breastimplants.ts.jpg


The Food and Drug Administration says it has found a possible link between breast implants and a very rare type of cancer. After reviewing data published between 1997 and 2010, the agency determined people with both saline and silicone gel-filled implants have a small but significant risk of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

According the American Cancer Society, ALCL is a fast-growing lymphoma that usually affects the lymph nodes, but can also appear on skin. Between 1 and 2% of lymphomas are ALCLs. It's more common in young people and can be cured with aggressive chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.

The FDA is asking all breast implant manufacturers to update their product labeling to include the possible risk, and asking doctors to pay particular attention to patients exhibiting fluid around their implant, and to report any confirmed cases of ALCL to Medwatch, their safety and adverse event reporting program.

"We need more data and are asking that health care professionals tell us about any confirmed cases they identify," said Dr. William Maisel, chief scientist and deputy director for science at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "We are working with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and other experts in the field to establish a breast implant patient registry, which should help us better understand the development of ALCL in women with breast implants."

The agency says women should check their implants and see a doctor if they notice changes. "Women with breast implants who are not showing any symptoms or problems require only routine followup," Maisel said. If you're considering implants discuss the risks with your doctor.

About 1 in 500,000 women get a diagnosis of ALCL annually in the United States. It's even more rare in breast tissue, only about 3 in every 100 million women without breast implants get ALCL in the breast. The agency says 5 to 10 million women have breast implants worldwide. Of those, they have confirmed 60 cases of ALCL. Most of the women got their diagnosis when they sought treatment for symptoms including pain, swelling, lumps or asymmetry after they had healed. These symptoms were attributed to fluid buildup, hardening of the area around the implant or a mass around the implant.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says breast implants are safe and effective. "ASPS shares the FDA's commitment to patient safety, but we also want to make certain this information does not raise false alarms with our patients," said Dr. Phillip Haeck, ASPS president. "We've been down this path before. For nearly 20 years American women were denied access to their choice of breast implants because of false claims and unfounded science. We are determined this shouldn't happen again."

The FDA plans to update its review of silicone gel-filled implants, which is due this spring.
 
Top