Mentor MemoryShape Siltex Implants Caused Breast Implant Lymphoma, Lawsuit Alleges

June 2, 2021

A product liability lawsuit alleges that problems with Mentor MemoryShape Siltex breast implants caused a Pennsylvania woman to develop breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), which is a rare form of cancer that has been linked to certain textured designs.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Christine McGee in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on May 13, naming Johnson & Johnson, Ethicon, Inc. and Mentor Worldwide LLC as the defendants.

BIA-ALCL is a rare form of lymphoma that develops in the tissue surrounding certain types of breast implants with textured surfaces. Most cases of the cancer have been linked to the use of Allergan’s BioCell breast implant designs, however, a small number have also been linked to Mentor implants as well.

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Women may face a risk of Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) from certain breast implants.

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In July 2019, Allergan was forced to issue a worldwide breast implant recall for its entire line of “Biocell” textured breast implants. The recall came after the FDA released data in 2019 indicating it had found 573 known cases of BIA-ALCL diagnosed worldwide, including at least 33 deaths.

While most of the lawsuits resulting from the incidents have targeted Allergan, McGee indicates her case of BIA-ALCL was associated with Mentor’s textured MemoryShape Siltex breast implants.

According to the lawsuit, McGee was implanted with MemoryShape breast implants in January 2017, as part of a mastectomy to prevent breast cancer, which ran in her family according to genetic testing.

However, in May 2019 she underwent a right breast ultrasound after the development of acute swelling. Doctors discovered the right breast implant had ruptured and she underwent a surgery in June 2019 to have the implants replaced. Testing results came back indicating she had developed BIA-ALCL and underwent removal surgery in July 2019.

The lawsuit alleges the manufacturers knew of the risk of BIA-ALCL associated with their implant design, but failed to provide adequate warning to McGee or her doctors.

“Christine McGee suffered tremendously from the pain of her explant surgery, symptoms of her BIA-ALCL disease, and recovery,” the lawsuit states. “Prior to her development, diagnosis and treatment of ALCL, Plaintiff enjoyed an active, full life, and did not experience the symptoms which arose after the Mentor Breast Implants were placed in her body. Subsequently, she endured pain, swelling, and embarrassment of her deformed chest.”

While only a few similar Mentor breast implant lawsuits have been filed, there are currently hundreds of Allergan Biocell breast implant lawsuits pending in the federal court system, which have been consolidated for pretrial proceedings in New Jersey. However, as product liability lawyers continue to review and file claims in the coming weeks and months, the size and scope of the litigation is expected to continue to grow.

Written by: Irvin Jackson

Senior Legal Journalist & Contributing Editor

Irvin Jackson is a senior investigative reporter at AboutLawsuits.com with more than 30 years of experience covering mass tort litigation, environmental policy, and consumer safety. He previously served as Associate Editor at Inside the EPA and contributes original reporting on product liability lawsuits, regulatory failures, and nationwide litigation trends.

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5 Comments

Tracey

November 1, 2022

Has anyone had any symptoms from the Mentor 4000 Siltex? I have severe pain in my joints, flue symptoms. I feel like my body is trying to fight off something. 20-30 sweats per day

Pamela

June 1, 2022

I was starting getting fatigue and Burning in my scalp. Bad , so bad I wanted to die. Then I I had Siltex High Profile Mentor textured implants placed in 1999. I had a Mamagram done in 2004 or 2005 ., and discovered a Rupture had happened. Went to my doctor and explain what happened, I had a 10 yr. warranty. He refused to replace it. He told me he would replace two but not one, even with a warranty. He told me he had broads purposely break the other to just match, because they were Saline. So I asked since he told me I would be alright if left in I would never have any problems. And he confirmed that. But said if I decided to replace , he gave me prices to have them done. Well long story short 93 test later , 14 yrs, of the rupture laying in me ,allowing body fluid to go in and out and in my blood, my breast was on fire. Explant Doctor took them out but STABBED as it said in the surgical report and I had textured implants. Was never given any antibiotics. I confronted him ask where my implants were because I wanted due to the Lung Problems I was having. I even told him if not viable to give to me , to take pictures . Hospital told me they were never ask , to give them to me, or take pictures. They only keep for 30 days unless asked by DR. for something else. They said they do have the slides. The one he STABBED in me I had to return to have a larger tube put in due to all the infection, green and orange color coming out of me. in his office. He said you need to go to hospital , I do not have the stuff to fix this here. He started calling me at home when he found out why I was asking other DR’s, the proper way to remove Textured implants. because he did not remove in one piece. He STABBED it under muscle while still in me, I have Lupus , I lost part of a lung and living on oxygen due to the damage scarring in the rest of my lungs, They have a name for it now Silicone Breast Illness. I have all records other than the actual implant. Dr. Rivera did not do as I asked him too. And DR. Coleman told me they would never hurt me staying in me Ruptured. I listen to my DOCTOR”S now I am dying My Lot Numbers are 188825 left breast – ref # SILTEX 2600 -P990075 – 163953 right breast -ref# SILTEX 2600 -P990075 MENTOR TEXTURED IMPLANTED 1999 RUPTURED 2004 LEFT IN FOR 14 YRS. REMOVED 2020 HAD NO IDEA IMPLANTS WERE MAKING ME SICK, BECAUSE AFTER HIM STABBING AT EPLANT THEY JUST GOT WORSE. THEN WE KNEW

Sandi

May 21, 2022

I had Allagen netting with Mentor implants due to breast cancer one erupted after only 4 months which was inflamed for the whole 4 months then the other one was making me sick and had it removed 1 1/2 years later which was inflamed took nearly 4 hours to remove due to infections

Darlene

September 24, 2021

I had implant put in because I had cancer 2016. I was wondering are these implants bad? They want to to replace them but then the COVID hit and canceled. I still have them in. What are my rights? BRST RND MODR PLUS 275CC – SILTEX – S6808073-007 Breast BRST RND MODR PLUS 275CC – SILTEX 6808073-007 Mentor 6808073 Right 1 Implanted BRST RND MODR PLUS 275CC – SILTEX – S6813321-007 Breast BRST RND MODR PLUS 275CC – SILTEX 6813321-007 Mentor 6813321 Left 1 Implanted

Stacey Furnell

August 20, 2021

I got Lupus from them since removal . Neuropathy went away and migraines

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Mentor MemoryShape Siltex Implants Caused Breast Implant Lymphoma, Lawsuit Alleges