Breast Implants May Cause Rare Form Of Cancer That Could Lead To Death, FDA Reveals
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Breast implants may be a good idea for some, but it could cause a rare form of cancer called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) to form. What's worse is that it may cause the death of around nine people, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported Tuesday, Mar. 21.
The FDA approved two types of breast implants for sale in the United States: saline-filled and silicone gel-filled. According to NBC News, the agency is evaluating into more than 350 reports that are associated with both silicone and saline breast implants. The cancer is very rare with 300 cases over 10 years or longer to develop.
ALCL is commonly diagnosed after a person complains about pain and swelling in the area of breast implants. It can be easily treated if the patient seeks a medical help at an earlier time. The cancer usually remains around the implant, but it can rupture and spread out.
After liposuction, breast implants are the second most common cosmetic surgeries among women. There were more than 300,000 performed procedures reported in 2015. The FDA required that patients should undergo research before deciding for breast implants.
"All of the information to date suggests that women with breast implants have a very low but increased risk of developing ALCL compared to women who do not have breast implants," the FDA said. The majority of the breast implant-associated ALCL is treated by removing the implant, including the capsule around it. In some cases, chemotherapy and radiation are used in managing cancer, the agency added.
The FDA began on 2011 their study about breast implants link with ALCL, which is a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In fact, suspicions are increasing that the surgery might cause cancer.
Now, hundreds of complaints and WHO reports are suggesting that breast implants are the possible cause of ALCL. FDA received 359 medical device reports of breast-implant-associated ALCL, including nine deaths as of February 1, 2017.
