At Same Time, The American Society For Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Seems To Downplay The Significance Of This Apparent Safety Issue
(Posted by Tom Lamb at DrugInjuryWatch.com)
Breast implant associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma of T-cell origin that usually is found near the breast implant, contained within the fibrous scar capsule, and not in the breast tissue itself. According to the FDA, in most cases the ALCL cells were found in the effusion fluid (seroma) surrounding the implant or contained within the fibrous scar capsule.
Earlier this year we wrote a couple of articles here about this still-emerging medical issue:
- The Rare Lymphoma (Blood Cancer) Linked To Breast Implants Which Has Caused Nine Patient Deaths (March 2017)
- The Association Between Breast Implants And Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) Is Better Understood In Recent Years (April 2017)
In the August 2017 edition of the European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO) we found this article on the issue, "Breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma: The UK experience. Recommendations on its management and implications for informed consent".
From the Abstract for this August 2017 EJSO article we get this new information about the situation as it has developed in the United Kingdom (UK):
Methods: Between 2012 and 2016, 23 cases of BIA-ALCL were diagnosed in 15 regional centres throughout the UK. Data on breast implant surgeries, clinical features, treatment and follow-up were available for 18 patients.
Results: The mean lead-time from initial implant insertion to diagnosis was 10 years (range: 3–16). All cases were observed in patients with textured breast implants or expanders. Fifteen patients with breast implants presented with stage I disease (capsule confined), and were treated with implant removal and capsulectomy. One patient received adjuvant chest-wall radiotherapy. Three patients presented with extra-capsular masses (stage IIA). In addition to explantation, capsulectomy and excision of the mass, all patients received neo-/adjuvant chemotherapy with CHOP as first line. One patient progressed on CHOP but achieved pathological complete response (pCR) with Brentuximab Vedotin. After a mean follow-up of 23 months (range: 1–56) all patients reported here remain disease-free.
Discussion: BIA-ALCL is a rare neoplasm with a good prognosis. Our data support the recommendation that stage I disease be managed with surgery alone. Adjuvant chemotherapy may be required for more invasive disease and our experience has shown the efficacy of Brentuximab as a second line treatment.
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To supplement these facts from the Abstract, we refer you to a report published August 31, 2017 on the Lymphoma Hub website about that recent medical journal article, "Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: overview and management recommendations based on a series of 18 UK cases".
For a different perspective on this medical issue, you can take a look at this article, "What’s Your Micromort? A Patient-Oriented Analysis of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)", which was published in the September 2017 edition of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (ASJ).
From an August 23, 2017 press release from the ASJ, which is the official publication of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, we take this snippet:
William P. Adams, Jr. MD, one of the study's authors explains, "Unfortunately, patients are getting the wrong information, and this study is critical to correcting that...."
For what is worth, here is that press release: "ASJ Study Puts The Risk Of Death From Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Into Plain Perspective for Patients".
Our law firm is investigating breast implants associated lymphoma and blood cancer cases. You can learn more about these cases on our Breast Implants Cases Overview page.
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Drug Injury Case Evaluation - Free. Confidential. No Obligation. (Case review done by attorney Tom Lamb)