Allergan’s BIOCELL® Textured Breast Implants Linked to Rare Lymphoma
In July 2019, Allergan plc issued a worldwide recall of two product categories, its BIOCELL® textured breast implants and its BIOCELL® tissue expanders. Over time, women who had received the BIOCELL® implants and expanders began developing breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare type of lymphoma (blood cancer).
To be clear, BIA-ALCL is not a type of breast cancer as it develops in the scar tissue that develops after surgery as opposed to developing in the actual breast or mammary. BIA-ALCL is an uncommon form of T-cell lymphoma, which is itself an uncommon form of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). As such, BIA-ALCL aggressively attacks the immune system.
Symptoms of BIA-ALCL may include the onset of the following:
- Asymmetry of the breasts
- Breast pain or swelling
- Burning sensation in breasts
- Capsular contracture
- Chronic fatigue
- Constant fevers
- Itching around site of implantation
- Lump/s in the armpit or breast
- Rash near site of implantation
- Redness around site of implantation
- Weight loss
Many of the symptoms of BIA-ALCL are similar to ones caused by other conditions even without having received a breast implant or tissue expander. However, if you or a loved one received an implant or tissue expander from Allergan and are experiencing any of these symptoms, please consult a doctor immediately.
Though these symptoms generally arise between 2 and 28 years following the procedure, in some instances, issues are known to occur sooner. If BIA-ALCL goes untreated, it can spread throughout the body, one day leading to death.
The attorneys at The Yost Legal Group are currently investigating cases involving textured breast implants and breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).
If you or a loved one is a recipient of Allergan’s BIOCELL® textured breast implants or tissue expanders and have experienced any of the above-mentioned symptoms associated with BIA-ALCL, or if you have been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, or if you have already had surgery to remove your Allergan implants, call The Yost Legal Group today at 1-800-YOST-LAW. Time is of the essence.