Breast Implant ALCL Lawsuit Filed Against Allergan Over McGhan Style Textured Implants
According to allegations raised in a product liability lawsuit filed against Allergan, McGhan Style textured breast implants caused a woman’s breast to swell to three times its normal size, and resulted in the diagnosis of a rare cancer that is increasingly referred to as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).
Maureen Byrnes filed the complaint (PDF) earlier this month in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, pursuing damages from Allergan Inc., formerly known as Inamed Corporation and McGhan Medical Corporation.
According to the lawsuit, Byrnes was implanted with a Textured Saline 300 ml McGhan Style 468 breast implant in the left breast, and a 300 ml Allergan Style 468 breast implant on the right, after undergoing a double mastectomy in February 2009.
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Women may face a risk of Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) from certain breast implants.
Learn More About this Lawsuit SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR COMPENSATIONThe implant was made using Biocell texturing technology, which has been linked to almost every reported case of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) diagnosed among women who received breast implants in recent years. The rare cancer has been found to develop in the tissue surrounding implants that feature the textured surface, which research suggests may inflame surrounding tissue and lead to the development of ALCL.
In September 2017, Byrnes indicates in the complaint that her right breast swelled to three times its normal size. Upon examination, doctors found fluid buildup between the implant and the flesh surrounding it. As a result, she was diagnosed with BIA-ALCL and the implants were both removed later that same month.
“Ms. Byrnes suffered debilitating side effects from ALCL and/or BIA-ALCL including pain, swelling, and soreness in her right breast,” the lawsuit states. “At the time the implants were placed into Ms. Byrnes’ body, she was not advised, nor did she have any independent knowledge, that the Products were anything other than safe, life-long products. Nor was she advised that the product was associated and/or known to cause BIA-ALCL and that she would require future surgery and treatments.”
The complaint comes about three months after the FDA announced that the manufacturer had agreed to issue a worldwide breast implant recall for all of products featuring the microtextured design.
The announcement came following similar recalls for Allergan breast implants in Canada, Australia and France.
The manufacturer knew about the risk of BIA-ALCL from Allergan Biocell implants for years, according to allegations raised in the complaint, which indicates the manufacturer chose to ignore evidence linking to textured breast implants to cancer for years.
Biocell Textured Breast Implant Concerns
The FDA indicates there are at least 573 known cases of BIA-ALCL worldwide, including 33 deaths. Of those, 481 have been linked to Allergan breast implants. Allergan implants were also linked to 12 of the 13 deaths where the manufacturer of the breast implant was known.
In June 2017, a study published in the medical journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery suggested that certain textured breast implants may increase the risk of anaplastic large cell lymphoma anywhere from 10 to 14 times, when compared to smooth breast implants.
Another study, published in October 2017, warned that many breast implant cancer cases worldwide have likely not been reported, and noted that doctors and patients may not be aware of BIA-ALCL.
The FDA is not recommending women have the breast implants removed if they are showing no symptoms. Instead, the regulators recommend recipients of these implants become familiar with the symptoms of BIA-ALCL, including persistent swelling or pain near the implant, and talk to their health care provider for further information. Those with BIA-ALCL should undergo breast implant removal and removal of the surrounding scar capsule.
The agency also recommends those who receive breast implants keep a record of the device manufacturer, unique device identifier and implant model name, which may have been provided on a patient device card from the surgeon.
A number of women nationwide are now pursuing class action lawsuits to secure compensation for the defective and dangerous implants, and individual breast implant ALCL lawsuits are being filed against the manufacturer by women diagnosed with this rare cancer after receiving one of the recalled devices.
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5 Comments
TracyJanuary 29, 2021 at 3:13 pm
Do you know how I can get any help I had mine in Laguna Beach California in 1991 my McGhan 360 I moved Tennessee life went find I breast feed all 4 of my children back about 8 years ago I started getting bad Health problems they couldn’t find out why then 5years ago they started Realizing by breast I lost my insurance by last child turn 18 right before my insurance left I got Septic had a fever [Show More]Do you know how I can get any help I had mine in Laguna Beach California in 1991 my McGhan 360 I moved Tennessee life went find I breast feed all 4 of my children back about 8 years ago I started getting bad Health problems they couldn’t find out why then 5years ago they started Realizing by breast I lost my insurance by last child turn 18 right before my insurance left I got Septic had a fever of a 107 they call family in I was on a vent to later I had a kidney bag for 14 days they didn’t think I was going to make it when I woke up I wore a candy bag for months I have autumn immune diseases I’m gonna few months after that my insurance ended I need help I can’t work I can even take care of my self I need help what to do
KellyMay 30, 2020 at 12:51 pm
i am having serious health issues and had breast implants put in 1998 textured implants by mcghan
AliciaMarch 6, 2020 at 2:50 am
I had one of the implant rupture breast implant
LindaDecember 28, 2019 at 8:51 am
I think maybe it's about time the doctors who remove these things and do not send them directly to the lab qualified to do he cd30 testing should be held partly responsible for a woman who suffers or dies from this new cancer. They know by now what should be done as soon as its removed. By this not being tested immediately this gives a low chance of finding the rare cancer in a woman in time to sa[Show More]I think maybe it's about time the doctors who remove these things and do not send them directly to the lab qualified to do he cd30 testing should be held partly responsible for a woman who suffers or dies from this new cancer. They know by now what should be done as soon as its removed. By this not being tested immediately this gives a low chance of finding the rare cancer in a woman in time to save her life. I know , i am having trouble with how and where to get this test done in time. If its as agressive as they say our lives are over. Abd when the fda recalls a product they knew would or could cause these illness s and disease. It should not ever matter when they got them it should only matter they stop these crimes and the woman get proper care and treatment. This is the cruelsest example of a medical failed system ever before in the history of the united states. Its time to stand up and protect the victims of these crimes.and just because some dont have alcl does not mean they are not worthy of a hearing. The bii is very real and autoammuine disease leads to cancer and they know it causes birth defects with newborn babies whos mother had cell damage from these so called safe sailine water implants. Its all a hugh crime. Doctors and lawyers should do whats right. What kind of country have we become when we do the wrong thing to good people because someone bad tells us too. Its time to show how good we are at doing our best to help others. That is the reason for all the hard work and resurch. Is to make our world a safer better place ,isnt it ? Time to prove it or we are finished.
KathyDecember 20, 2019 at 8:22 pm
Those implants have not been used in Ireland since december 2018 is there any claims in ireland about these implants or is there any 1 here from ireland