FDA Report: Breast Implants Linked To Rare Type Of Cancer

The Federal Drug Administration announced Tuesday that breast implants had been linked to the development of a rare cancer, a link the administration was hesitant to make in 2011 when concerns were first raised.

Since then further research showed that there is an association between breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma, the FDA said. It is thought that the cancer occurs more frequently in women who have had textured implants rather than smooth ones.

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As of February 2017, the FDA had received 359 reports of such cancer related to implants, nine of which resulted in death of the patient.

"All of the information to date suggests that women with breast implants have a very low but increased risk of developing ALCL compared to women who do not have breast implants," says the FDA. Most cases were treated via removal of the implant and the scar tissue around it, only some cases necessitated chemo or radiation treatment.

The FDA urged patients not to panic but to be aware of the findings and monitor their implants as their physician had instructed. The cancer, that is not technically breast cancer, was identified after reports of pain, lumps, swelling and asymmetry from patients.

The FDA asks that any doctors who have patients suffering from the rare form of cancer report it to increase the database and what they know about the cases involving implants.