Breast Implant Lymphoma Risk May Extend Beyond ALCL, Researchers Warn

Hundreds of women have already filed breast implant cancer lawsuits, following prior studies that found textured surface devices may substantially increase the risk of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL).

Over the last decade, certain types of breast implants have been linked to a rare form of cancer known as anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). However, now researchers say the implants may also increase the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as well.

In a study published in JAMA Network Open on August 7, a team of researchers found that breast implants could increase the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) by a factor of five, with many women developing both that type of cancer and what has become known as breast implant-associated ALCL (BIA-ALCL)

Breast Implant Cancer

Concerns over breast implant cancer risks became a focus of attention after a June 2017 study published in the medical journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, which suggested that certain textured breast implants may be increasing the risk of ALCL.

Results from that study suggested recipients of textured implants may be anywhere from 10 to 14 times more likely to develop the cancer, when compared to those who received traditional, smooth breast implants.

Another study, published later that same year, warned that many breast implant cancer cases worldwide have likely not been reported, noting that doctors and patients may not be aware of BIA-ALCL.

Further research and investigations specifically linked Allergan Biocell textured breast implants to virtually all incidents of BIA-ALCL, resulting in hundreds of Allergan Biocell breast implant lawsuits being filed by women who developed the rare form of cancer.

The findings may result in a new round of breast implant NHL lawsuits being pursued by women who did not previously pursue a claim after being diagnosed with BIA-ALCL.

In the new study, researchers from Columbia University looked at data on women who underwent postmastectomy breast implant reconstruction between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2020, following up with the women after 12 months.

Led by Dr. Connor J. Kinslow, the team identified 61,041 women between the ages of 44 and 60 who matched the study’s parameters. The data indicated that 15 of them developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; a rate five times higher than normal. In addition, seven of those women were also diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, a rate 41 times higher than the rest of the population, as well as eight other types of cancer.

“Implant-associated ALCL has been attributed to chronic inflammation, which facilitates lymphoproliferation and malignant transformation within a hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Similar causes may contribute to the pathogenesis of other NHLs, including B-cell lymphomas.”

-Dr. Connor J. Kinslow, Lymphomas of the Breast After Postmastectomy Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction

According to the data, there appeared to be no risk of NHL outside of the breast, and the risk did not increase in women who underwent mastectomy but did not undergo breast implant-based reconstruction.