Allergan Breast Implant Cancer

Were You Diagnosed with BIA-ALCL?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall of Allergan BIOCELL textured implants. The agency found that people with this type of breast implant are at an increased risk of developing a type of cancer called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

Patients have filed lawsuits against Allergan, claiming that the manufacturer knew about the link between textured breast implants and cancer since the early 1990s but continued to sell and promote the product.

If you—or a loved one—think that your cancer diagnosis could be related to your breast implants, contact us today. We're available 24/7 to answer your legal questions, free of charge. Call us at 412-394-1000.

Do You Have a Breast Implant Lawsuit?

An experienced attorney can answer this question for you. During your free consultation, we'll listen to the details of your situation, ask you questions, and gather information. We'll explain your legal options and outline the next steps.

There's no obligation to use our services, and everything you share with us is strictly confidential. You can get in touch with us by phone, chat, or online form.

What is BIA-ALCL?

BIA-ALCL is not breast cancer. It is a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (cancer of the immune system). The disease is most often found in the scar tissue and fluid near the breast implant, but it can spread throughout the body. The overall risk of developing BIA-ALCL is low, but the diagnosis is serious and the condition can be fatal.

FDA Allergan Implant Recall

As recently as May 2019, the FDA said that the risks posed by Allergan implants did not necessitate a nationwide recall. However, new findings showing a direct link between Allergan implants and BIA-ALCL changed the agency's position.

The FDA said that:

Hundreds of patients with Allergan breast implants developed BIA-ALCL.
80% of the confirmed cases of BIA-ALCL in the world have been linked to Allergan implants.
Dozens of patients have died from the condition.
Those with Allergan textured implants are six times more likely to develop BIA-ALCL than those with textured implants made by different manufacturers.

The FDA's recall includes:

Allergan Natrelle Saline-Filled Breast Implants (formerly McGhan RTV Saline-Filled Mammary Implant)
Allergan Natrelle Silicone-Filled Textured Breast Implants
Natrelle Inspira BIOCELL Implants
Natrelle Highly Cohesive Anatomically Shaped Silicone Filled Breast Implants
Allergen's Tissue Expander and Plus Tissue Expander

Allergan is banned from selling these products and they are to be removed from the global market. Allergan's implants were taken off the market in Europe in December 2018 and are banned in Canada and Australia.

The FDA continues to investigate other breast implant manufacturers and may act regarding other breast implants in the future.

Breast Implant Cancer Symptoms

Symptoms of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma include:

Swelling in the breast or around the implant
Pain
Lumps around the implant
Changes in breast shape or size
Redness

Symptoms generally occur years after implant surgery.

Concerned About Breast Implant Cancer?

Do you have Allergan breast implants but have not been diagnosed with cancer?

If you aren't currently experiencing symptoms, the FDA does not recommend implant removal, but you should reach out to your health care provider with any medical questions you have.

If you are experiencing symptoms, you should seek medical attention to determine if further evaluation is necessary.

As with any medical device, it is important to know your implant manufacturer, device identifier, and implant model name. If you did not receive this information on a patient device card, you can request it from your surgeon or from the facility where your procedure was performed.

If you have any legal questions about the risks associated with breast implants, you can contact us at 412-394-1000.

Risks of Textured Breast Implants

"Can breast implants cause cancer?"

According to the FDA, women with textured implants have a low but increased risk of developing BIA-ALCL. This doesn't mean that the implants cause cancer, and additional research is needed to establish the exact link between breast implants and cancer.

It hasn't yet been determined whether silicone- or saline-filled implants affect the likelihood of developing BIA-ALCL, though implants with textured silicone and polyurethane outer shells appear to carry the greatest risk.

The FDA released the following statistics:

There are 573 reported cases of BIA-ALCL in the world.
Of those, 481 of the patients were reported to have Allergan breast implants.
Of the 13 fatal BIA-ALCL cases in which the implant manufacturer was known, 12 were Allergan implants.

Breast Implant Cancer (BIA-ALCL) Treatment

If you have any medical questions about treatment options for BIA-ALCL, contact your health care provider.

The FDA recommends that anyone diagnosed with BIA-ALCL consult with a surgeon about having their implants and surrounding scar tissue (called the capsule) removed. Some patients will require chemotherapy or radiation.

Allergan Breast Implant Lawsuit

There's no need for you to try and figure out if you have a lawsuit on your own. Our free legal consultation is designed to let you know what your options are and what your next steps should be.

How to Contact Edgar Snyder & Associates

We know that contacting an attorney is a big step, and we want it to be as comfortable as possible for you. Our consultations are completely free, confidential, and come with no obligation to use our services. We're available 24/7 and there are three ways to get in touch with us: by phone, chat, or online form.

What is the Legal Process for Breast Implant Lawsuits?

The first step is researching and hiring an attorney. Hiring the right lawyer can determine whether you win your case and how much compensation you receive. Make sure the attorney you hire has proper credentials and the experience necessary to handle complex claims.

What happens next in the legal process varies from case to case, and your attorney will outline the exact steps he or she will take in handling your claim. Our law firm keeps clients updated every step of the way so they know exactly what is happening in their case and why.

Here's a very general outline of the legal process:

An attorney files a claim: This must be done within the statute of limitations. An experienced attorney will know and handle all deadlines for you.
The attorney collects evidence: This includes gathering medical records, insurance reports, speaking to witnesses, etc. We handle all of this for you—and cover the cost associated with any documents, expert witnesses, and more.
The attorney attempts to secure a settlement: Most personal injury cases don't make it to trial, and in a settlement both parties agree to a compensation amount. We've recovered over $1 billion for our clients throughout the years.
The claim goes to trial if a settlement isn't reached.

How Much Do Breast Implant Attorneys Cost?

Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don't pay us anything upfront. We cover the cost of all aspects of your case, and you only pay us if—and when—we win. If we're not successful, you don't owe us a thing.

We truly mean it when we say, "There's never a fee unless we get money for you."

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

All legal claims are subject to statutes of limitations—the time limit for filing a claim. Statutes of limitations vary depending on where you live and the type of claim you have. In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of injury, diagnosis, or death to file a lawsuit.

An experienced attorney can tell you what the statute of limitations is for your case. If you think you could have a claim, it's best to act quickly before your options disappear.

Breast Implant Cancer Case Review

There's no reason to try to figure out if you have a breast implant cancer case on your own. Our legal consultations are free and come with no obligation to hire our firm. You can ask us your questions and decide what to do from there—it's as simple as that.

We're available around the clock, so call us at 412-394-1000. And remember, "There's never a fee unless we get money for you."