Breast Implant Manufacturer Says It Will Help Research To Understand ALCL Linked To Textured Implants

Amid continuing concerns about the link between anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and breast implants, at least one manufacturer has promised to add its data to the collective effort to help better understand why some women may face an increased risk of developing the rare cancer from certain types of breast implants.

France-based Group Sebbin issued a statement on September 20, acknowledging the growing concern over breast implant-associated ALCL, which has emerged in recent years as a type of cancer typically seen among women who received textured implants with larger surface areas.

The manufacturer indicates that it has conducted its own studies on breast implant safety and adverse effects over the past 15 years, and note that the data is publicly available for researchers worldwide to access in their efforts to understand the malignancies.

The statement by Sebbin indicated that it is taking the concerns seriously and believes that manufacturers, clinicians and health authorities worldwide should collaborate to develop a greater understanding of breast implant associated cancer.

“Patient safety has always been and will remain a priority for Groupe SEBBIN,” CEO Diederik Van Goor said in the statement. “Although no case of BIA-ALCL worldwide has been reported with SEBBIN implants to date, our company closely collaborates with all health authorities to better understand the disease.”

Earlier this year, the FDA issued a statement about the breast implant lymphoma risks, indicating that the agency was aware of at least 359 medical device reports involving women diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL), which is a sub-type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Among the reports were at least nine deaths.

Due to the connection with the implants, the cancer is now commonly referred to as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has launched an effort to monitor for cases of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) from breast implants. As a result, the number of identified cases in that country more than doubled, increasing the level of concern among doctors and patients worldwide.

Independent investigators have noted that the rare lymphoma from breast implants appear more commonly among women who received devices with a large textured surface, which may be causing chronic inflammation and immune system reactions, leading to the development of lymphoma in the fluid around the breast implant. However, more questions that answers remain about the exact cause of the link between breast implants and cancer, causing many doctors to urge caution for women considering breast augmentation.

As researchers continue to evaluate the specific cause of the problems, many women are raising serious questions about why certain products appear to be more likely to be associated with the development of cancer, and how manufacturers failed to address potential design defects earlier.

Product liability lawyers are reviewing potential breast implant lymphoma lawsuits for women diagnosed with this rare cancer in recent years.