Breast Implant Lawsuits

Nationwide Breast Implant Cancer Lawyers

If you or someone you love were diagnosed with cancer or another health condition related to breast implant products, you may be entitled to compensation.

Thanks to recent studies and scientific research, new information has come to light regarding serious health risks posed by breast implant products – including cancer risks associated with textured breast implants and recalled implant products manufactured by Allergan. These findings have prompted a wave of public health warnings, high-profile recalls and regulatory actions, and a growing number of lawsuits filed by victims who’ve been harmed.

Levy Konigsberg is a nationally recognized trial practice that’s recovered over $3 billion in compensation for clients. We’re known for litigating some of the country’s most complex injury and products liability cases and we are available to evaluate your case to see how we can help you.

Our breast implant injury lawyers are reviewing claims from victims in all 50 states. To request a FREE consultation, call (800) 315-3806 or contact us online.

Breast Implant-Associated ALCL Cancer Lawsuits

Breast implant products have been associated with increased risks of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare type of cancer that can be fatal if left untreated.

While health regulators have monitored the link between certain types of breast implants and cancers like BIA-ALCL since 2011, new scientific findings have led to several important regulatory actions, high-profile recalls, and litigation in recent years. For example:

• In March 2019, the FDA held a public advisory committee meeting discussing breast implant concerns, including the agency’s findings about the link between textured breast implants and the development of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).
• In July 2019, at the FDA’s urging, breast implant manufacturer Allergan issued a voluntary recall of BIOCELL® textured breast implants and tissue expanders due to potential links to implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma. According to the FDA, Allergan BIOCELL implants were associated with at least 481 of the 570 cases of BIA-ALCL that were reported worldwide at the time of the recall, as well as 12 of the 13 fatal cases.
• In 2021, the FDA added black-box labels on breast implants warning of potential links to chronic medical conditions such as joint pain, mental confusion, chronic fatigue, autoimmune disease, and lymphoma. According to the FDA, those with the highest risk for developing illnesses and complications are breast cancer patients who’ve had or plan to have chemotherapy or radiation treatment, smokers, and women with lupus or diabetes.

According to the FDA, people with Allergan BIOCELL textured implants carry roughly six times the cancer risks compared to other textured implants sold in the U.S.

Breast Implants Linked to Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Various Lymphomas

In September 2022, the FDA issued a Safety Communication warning people with breast implants that cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and various lymphomas have been reported in the scar tissue (capsule) that forms around implants.

The FDA noted that the lymphomas are different than the lymphomas described as breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)

At the time of the announcement, the FDA stated that it was aware of roughly 50 cases of SCC and various lymphomas in the capsule surrounding implants. The agency is continuing to investigate the link between breast implants and cancers in scar tissue, as well as BIA-ALCL.

Breast Implant Cancer FAQ

What Types of Cancers are Linked to Breast Implants?

While research into breast implants and long-term cancer risks is still ongoing, the FDA has published regulatory communications focusing on several cancers of concern. These include:

• Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
• Various lymphomas

What is BIA-ALCL?

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare type of T-cell lymphoma.

BIA-ALCL is not breast cancer. It is a type of cancer that typically develops in the scar tissue and fluids surrounding implants. In many cases, it can be effectively treated by removing the implant and scar tissue. However, without medical intervention, the cancer can spread and cause death.

BIA-ALCL is most often found in people with textured implants.

Which Types of Breast Implants are Associated with BIA-ALCL?

According to the FDA, textured breast implants pose a higher risk of BIA-ALCL than smooth surface implants.

Based on limited data, the agency has not found the type of implant fill (i.e. silicone or saline) to be a risk factor for BIA-ALCL. It also states that potential cancer concerns may extend to certain textured tissue expanders, which are used to stretch skin prior to breast reconstruction after mastectomy, breast correction, scar revision, and tissue defect procedures. The FDA now advises against the use of certain textured tissue expanders and has issued new recommendations for people who have or have had these products.

Because textured implants manufactured by the company Allergan have been associated with the most cases of BIA-ALCL, the FDA has noted that thousands of people in the U.S. currently have recalled BIOCELL textured implant products. These include:

• Natrelle Saline-Filled breast implants
• Natrelle Silicone-Filled breast implants
• Natrelle Inspira Silicone-Filled breast implants
• Natrelle 410 Highly Cohesive Anatomically Shaped Silicone-Filled breast implants
• Natrelle 133 Plus Tissue Expander
• Natrelle 133 Tissue Expander with Suture Tabs

What Should People with Textured Breast Implants Do?

The FDA has not recommended the routine removal of textured breast implants or tissue expanders in patients with no symptoms. However, it has issued recommendations:

• Know the symptoms of BIA-ALCL. Primary symptoms include persistent swelling and a mass or pain near the implant.
• If you experience symptoms or other changes, talk to your health care provider. An evaluation for BIA-ALCL will typically involve a physical exam, imaging, and/or assessment of fluid or tissue surrounding the implant.
• Keep record of the manufacturer of your breast implants and the implant model name. You may have received this information from your surgeon but can also ask your surgeon’s office for records of your procedure.
• Know that BIA-ALCL usually occurs years after breast implant placement. Talk with your health care provider about your risk of developing BIA-ALCL.
• Patients with a confirmed BIA-ALCL diagnosis should undergo implant removal with removal of the surrounding scar capsule.

Other Breast Implant Injuries & Illnesses

Breast implants have been implicated in regulatory actions, public health warnings, and litigation dating back to the early 1990s, when the FDA banned nearly all uses of silicone breast implants due to concerns about their links to autoimmune disorders and cancers. The ban led to thousands of lawsuits and pushed many implant manufacturers out of business or into bankruptcy.

Today, breast implant products continue to be the subject of actions and lawsuits filed by victims who’ve suffered various injuries and illnesses. In addition to BIA-ALCL, SCC, and other cancers, these include:

• Tumors on lymph nodes, bone marrow, blood, and other organs
• Capsular contracture (squeezing of the implant from scar tissue)
• Breast implant rupture
• Pain and discomfort caused by inflammation and tissue changes
• Lumps, hardening, and changes in sensation
• Autoimmune disorders (including rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and Sjogren Syndrome).
• Migraines, joint pain, fatigue, and memory problems
• Additional surgeries, including revision and removal

In March 2019, the FDA issued warnings to two breast implant manufacturers (Sientra and Mentor Worldwide) regarding their failure to properly investigate the effects of breast implants on the long-term health of patients. Manufacturers were required to assess the health of women with implants over a period of several years as a condition of the agency’s consent to allow silicone implants to be reintroduced into the market in 2006. The agency acknowledged that certain devices, such as breast implants, can cause harmful responses in the body, including inflammatory reactions and tissue changes leading to pain and discomfort. Women with breast implants have also reported fatigue, memory lapses, migraines, joint pain and autoimmune disorders (including rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and Sjogren Syndrome). A report about the effects of silicone implants conducted at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found that women with silicone implants had nearly an eight times increased risk of certain autoimmune diseases than the general population.

Some health conditions reported by people with breast implants have been linked to rupture of silicone breast implants. A ruptured silicone implant can occur “silently,” leaving a person unaware that silicone gel is leaking into other parts of the body until they experience physical symptoms. Rupture can lead to a host of local ailments including pain, soreness and swelling of the breast, and lumps and hardening in the area. The FDA has stated that as many as one in five women seek removal of their implants within a decade of surgery due to rupture and capsular contracture. According to FDA adverse event data, the number of breast implant injuries from rupture and associated injuries increased from an average of fewer than 200 per year through 2016 to 4,567 events in 2017 and at least 8,242 events in 2018.

What Compensation Can Breast Implant Injury Victims Recover?

Victims harmed by defective products are entitled to a financial recovery of their damages. This may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical bills, including costs of implant removal, cancer treatment, and future medical monitoring
• Disability, disfigurement, and reduced quality of life
• Lost income and future wages
• Other economic and non-economic losses

Do I Have a Case?

You may have a potential case if you:

• Have (or have had) breast implants, including recalled Allergan textured breast implants and tissue expanders; and
• Have been diagnosed with cancer (including BIA-ALCL, Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), and lymphoma) or have experienced other health complications.

Breast implant injury cases are highly fact specific and should be evaluated by attorneys with experience investigating these types of claims.

Call For a FREE Consultation: (800) 315-3806

Levy Konigsberg is a U.S. News “Best Law Firms” rated trial practice with a reputation of success. We’re backed by a team of award-winning trial lawyers and have decades of experience investigating and litigating complex claims involving products liability and defective medical products.

If you or someone you love have questions about a potential breast implant injury lawsuit, we want to help. Our breast implant cancer lawyers serve victims nationwide and offer FREE and confidential consultations. Call (800) 315-3806 to request yours.