“The exact number of cases remains difficult to determine due to significant limitations in world-wide reporting and lack of global implant sales data,” the agency said in a statement Tuesday.
The numbers do show that ALCL occurs more frequently in women who received textured implants, rather than implants with smooth surfaces. In the FDA report, out of 359 cases of ALCL, 231 included information on implant surfaces. The agency reported 203 involved textured implants compared to 29 that were smooth.
Symptoms of the implant-linked cancer include lumps, pain and swelling.
The Food & Drug Administration is officially acknowledging an association between breast implants and a rare cancer https://t.co/gNua1ImcVp
— NPR (@NPR) March 22, 2017
The government first raised concerns about the safety of both silicone and saline breast implants and the possible connection to cancer in 2011.
As many as 11 million women worldwide have breast implants, according to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Plastic Surgeon Foundation.
#ALCL and #breastimplants: The media is scaring our patients unfairly. Hear the latest update on cancer association: https://t.co/UuRuEusLrZ pic.twitter.com/yAzI2h3ll1
— Dr. Karen Horton (@drkarenhorton) March 22, 2017
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