FDA Identifies Possible Link Between Breast Implants and ALCL

Silicone implants were cleared of their suspected association with breast cancer when the FDA approved them for use in women over 22 years of age in November of 2006.

However, last month, the FDA announced that they have detected a link between all types of breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), an aggressive and rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Only about 3 percent of lymphoma cancer patients have ALCL.

The FDA is aware of 60 cases of ALCL in women with breast implants that live throughout the world. It is estimated that five to 10 million women have undergone the breast augmentation procedure worldwide. Though breast implants may increase a woman’s chance of developing ALCL, it is still extremely rare. The FDA is currently seeking more information about the possible relationship between breast implants and ALCL.