Board-certified plastic surgeon Rafael Cabrera and his team at the Plastic Surgery Specialists of Boca Raton are committed to patient safety and satisfaction. Nothing matters more to Dr. Cabrera than his patients’ well-being, and he strives to deliver the highest quality of care.
In recent years, anecdotal reports of breast implants causing health problems have received a lot of media attention. Dr. Cabrera knows that some of his current and prospective patients may have questions about these reports, and he wants to take a moment to discuss implant-related illness.
Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a very rare type of lymphoma that can develop following the placement of breast implants. It is not a cancer of the breast tissue itself; it is a cancer of the cells of the immune system. Patients with BIA-ALCL often develop a seroma (i.e., a collection of fluid) around the implant. It occurs more commonly in women that have textured implants than in those with smooth implants.
In March, the FDA held a two-day meeting to gather data from researchers and implant manufacturers on the safety of textured implants, and to hear from women who developed lymphoma and other illnesses after getting breast implants. Some of these women demanded a ban on the sale of textured implants.
The FDA announced in early May that they won’t pull textured implants off the market. Although they said the risk of getting ALCL was slightly increased, the risk was still low and there was not enough evidence to justify banning sale of the implants.
Experts still do not know exactly what causes BIA-ALCL. A coalition consisting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the FDA and implant manufacturers is working toward finding the cause.
A very small number of women with textured implants will get the disease. According to the ASPS, the lifetime risk of BIA-ALCL is estimated to be one in 30,000 women with textured implants.
ALCL is treatable. A PET/CT scan is performed to look for cancer that has spread throughout the body. If the cancer is limited to the area around the implant, the implant itself and the surrounding capsular tissue are removed. Any associated lumps or masses are removed. If the cancer has metastasized, radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be needed.
If you are considering getting breast implants but have questions or concerns about their safety, you should consult with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Cabrera in person. During your consultation, he can answer all of your questions and address your concerns about breast implant safety.
If you already have implants, you do not need to have them taken out unless a problem develops. The best thing you can do to keep yourself safe and healthy is see your doctor annually for a physical exam to check for any problems with your implants. If you experience any symptoms like redness, swelling, pain, or discharge, or if you notice a change in your breast shape or color, see your doctor immediately.
Should a complication occur, your plastic surgeon can review your treatment options with you and help you decide how to proceed.
If you have any questions about breast implant illness, Dr. Cabrera invites you to contact our practice today.
