FDA news about breast implants and a rare cancer – Del Mar, San Diego
Understanding the FDA news released about breast implants and a rare cancer
The FDA released information (FDA article) suggesting a possible small risk in women with breast implants of developing a rare cancer called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). The tumor is NOT breast cancer, but instead can develop in the scar tissue around the implant. So far, it has been reported in 35 women out of an estimated 10 million women with breast implants, and has occurred with both silicone and saline implants.
In all the reported cases, it was obvious to the patient and doctor that something was wrong, as all of a sudden one of the breasts was larger than the other due to a seroma, or fluid collection, in the breast pocket. The average time before this occurred was 8 years after surgery, with the longest being 23 years.
The FDA has stated that the risk, if real, is extremely small, and that the “weight of evidence supports a reasonable assurance that FDA-approved breast implants are safe and effective when used as labeled.” In fact, you have a higher risk (60,000 times!) of getting “regular” breast cancer, which occurs in 1 in 9 women, than getting ALCL from breast implants.
The kind of ALCL found in these women with implants is less aggressive than other types of ALCL, and is treated simply by removing the implant and the surrounding scar tissue. No recurrences were reported after this treatment.
The best advice is to see your plastic surgeon for ANY abnormality that occurs after breast augmentation or reconstruction, but especially lumps, late swelling of the breast, or hardening of the implant. Continue to do breast self-exams and yearly mammograms after age 40.
Larry H. Pollack MD, FACS Del Mar Plastic Surgery