Breast Implants Cause Cancer According to ANSM

Breast Implants Cause Cancer According to the French Medical Agency

France’s National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) announced that it would not recertify textured breast implants manufactured by Allergan Plc due to the link found between the implants and a rare form of cancer. The ANSM said that it would not renew the certification for Allergan’s Microcell and Biocell breast implant lines because another European health agency declined to recertify as well. This particular form cancer, known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma or ALCL, can kill if not diagnosed early.

Parker Waichman LLP’s medical device defect attorneys fight to protect those who have fallen ill or the family of someone who died as a result of a defective medical device or product. While advances in medicine have made tremendous strides in the last few decades, medical product manufacturers are obliged to produce safe and effective medical devices. Parker Waichman LLP’s breast implant cancer lawyers will make those medical device companies who put income over safety pay for their transgressions.

Money Over Safety, the American Way

Our U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aware of the connection between textured breast implants and the possibility that they can cause ALCL. Despite the overwhelming evidence, the FDA has not recalled the breast implants, unlike the ANSM which has issued a recall. The FDA received a substantial body of research in September of 2017 that clearly connects textured breast implants to ALCL.

There is a significant amount of money in breast implant manufacturing to be sure. Allergan Plc, according to financial analysts, stands to lose a substantial amount of money in other business lines as competition increases now that two proprietary treatments have come “off patent.” Consequently, generic drugs will be cheaper than the name brand and be just as effective. Allergan Plc needs its breast implant line to be profitable, and it will be. Even with the recall, Allergan Plc expects to sell $60 million worth of textured implants in 2019. The company’s U.S. business is not affected by the European recall and is likely to remain robust despite the warnings.

ALCL Diagnosis and Treatment

ALCL is lethal if not diagnosed timely. The disease is characterized as “high grade,” meaning that it grows fast and spreads quickly. When ALCL spreads outside of the lymphatic system, the doctors refer to it as extranodal. ALCL is a change in the t-cells in the lymph nodes. The first symptoms of ALCL appear as swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin area. As with most cancers, a patient with ALCL will show signs of general malaise, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Weight loss, high fevers, and night sweats can appear as ALCL symptoms as well.

Doctors diagnose ALCL after a biopsy. Physicians remove a swollen lymph node and perform a biopsy. Once confirmed, oncologists treat ALCL with a variety of measures. Chemo and steroids are the most common treatment. However, ALCL linked to breast implantation can be treated with surgery. Radiation treatment may be an option as well.

Achieving remission of ALCL is possible. However, there is a chance of relapse. The patient can elect to have another round of chemotherapy or have stem cell replacement treatment. The type of treatments available is age-dependent. The general health of the patient figures into the equation as well.

Parker Waichman LLP: Breast Implant Cancer Lawyers

Parker Waichman LLP’s breast implant cancer lawyers are accessible 24/7 to discuss your options. Call today at 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) or visit us online at YourLawyer.com to arrange a convenient time to speak with our breast implant cancer attorneys. Remember that we do not charge our clients a fee unless and until we are successful on your behalf. Time is limited so call today.

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