Breast Implants Recalled Due To Rare Cancer

An urgent recall of breast implants on July 24, 2019, due to its link to a rare cancer, was mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA made a worldwide recall request of Biocell textured breast implants products.

The big concern for the recall started by a tumor known as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). The FDA found 573 cases of BIA-ALCL with 33 related deaths reported worldwide. This year they discovered 116 new cases and 24 deaths.

“The recall of these textured implants is a big deal in protecting women from the potential risks of developing, and dying from, this rare type of aggressive lymphoma,” said Dr. Joshua Brody.

He also said that “some types of implants induce inflammation, which can both increase the chance of developing cancer, and also help to ‘hide’ developing cancers from the immune system.”

The inflammation triggered by textured implants can cause gene mutation and expression of the immune-suppressive proteins. It can prevent anti-tumor immunity cells from clearing cancer explains Dr. Joshua.

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