Breast Implants Could Give You Rare Cancer

FDA links breast implants to anaplastic large cell lymphoma
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 21, 2017 5:59 PM CDT
FDA Links Breast Implants to Rare Form of Cancer
The FDA announced Tuesday a link between breast implants and a rare form of cancer.   (Getty Images/sergey02)

Six years after first announcing a possible link between breast implants and a rare form of cancer, the FDA confirmed Tuesday that breast implants are connected to anaplastic large cell lymphoma, NBC News reports. In a statement, the FDA says women with breast implants "have a very low but increased risk" of ALCL. The FDA has received 359 reports of ALCL cases tied to breast implants, including nine people who've died from the cancer. ALCL appears to be more common in women whose implants have a textured—rather than smooth—surface, according to Medscape. Whether the implants are filled with saline or silicone gel doesn't appear to make a difference.

ALCL takes an average of a decade to develop after the implant procedure. But it's easily treated if caught early, which typically happens when women start suffering pain and swelling. Most cases of ALCL have been treated by removing the breast implant. Some cases have required chemo and radiation. Breast implants are the second most popular cosmetic procedure for women. More than 300,000 breast implants were performed in 2015. (More breast implants stories.)

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