Dear CPRS breast implant patients,
This week Allergan issued a recall on their Biocell textured breast implants and tissue expanders. This is part of a combined effort with the FDA to better understand what relationship may exist between breast implants and particularly textured implants and a very rare type of lymphoma (Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma). The implant recall is only for textured implants which represent less than 5% of implants in the U.S. The FDA does NOT recommend removal of existing implants in the absence of any problems. These would include the late development of a large fluid collection around your implant or a mass in the capsule surrounding the implant. To date, there are only 573 cases of ALCL ever reported worldwide so there is extremely low risk of developing it. It is not a cancer of the breast tissue rather it is a type of Non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma and can often be successfully treated with surgery. The safety of our patients is our number one concern and we are continuing to monitor this closely. We will continue to follow the FDA guidelines and will keep you updated as to any changes.
All the best,
Kendall K. Peters, MD, FACS
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery