Update on BIA-ALCL for Primary Care Doctors
Regulatory agencies in the USA and abroad are updating physicians and breast implant manufacturers on their findings and recommendations regarding lymphomas being discovered adjacent to breast implants. As of September 2018, they have 457 unique cases and 9 patient deaths, not every care report provides complete information which limits data analysis. At this time textured surface implants seem to be involved in all cases, with different incidence rates for different texture styles.The FDA's current focus is on educating primary care physicians including gynecologists who are likely to see new patients, and initiate their evaluation. New seroma or fluid collection or masses adjacent to implants are the typical presenting symptoms. The FDA wedsite has a relevant page (link below).
In addition the French medical device agency has made more specific recommendations. The panel recommended that Allergan BioCell implants and expanders no longer be sold. Other textured implants were not limited and they advised against preventative removal for BioCell patients.
https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/LetterstoHealthCareProviders/ucm630863.htm
