Breast Implants Cancer

Some types of textured breast implants may cause breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare lymphatic cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a Class 1 Recall Notice for all breast implants marketed under the Allergan BIOCELL brand name. Class 1 is the highest of three levels of recall.

Textured surfaces on implants were developed with the thought that a rough surface would help the muscles bond better with the implant. Researchers now think the rougher surface of a textured implant may increase the risk of inflammation, infection and cancer. BIA-ALCL is a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or cancer of the immune system. Lymphomas are associated with chronic infections and conditions that make the immune system overactive.

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system. The immune system consists of important infection- and disease-fighting organs such as the lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow. Cancers in the immune system cause cancer cells to grow in these places and spread into other tissues.

BIA-ALCL begins in the scar tissue or fluid that surrounds the breast implant. Like other lymphatic cancers, the cells can migrate through the lymphatic system or bloodstream and into the rest of the body.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a rare, fast-growing lymphoma. About 2% of all cancers of the lymphatic system are ALCL cancers, including breast implant-associated lymphoma.

BIA-ALCL is a fast-growing cancer, but it responds well to treatment if caught early. The first line of treatment is removing the breast implant and surrounding tissue. Radiation treatment may be necessary if the cancer progresses after the removal procedure.

The most important treatment for BIA-ALCL cancer is early recognition of possible common symptoms and removal of the implant.

Signs of breast implants cancer

The symptoms of cancer caused by breast implants or BIA-ALCL include:

• Enlargement, swelling or hardening of the breast
• Lumps in the breast or armpit
• Pain in the breast or armpit
• Redness or skin rash

These common symptoms can also indicate other implant issues, such as rupture, infection or trauma. They are also symptoms of breast cancer, which BIA-ALCL is not. Any such symptoms or other breast implant side effects should be reported to a doctor at once.

Later symptoms of ALCL can include:

• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Enlarged lymph glands (painful swellings in the armpits)
• Fatigue
• Fever and chills (without other cause, such as flu)
• Weight loss or loss of appetite

It can take many months or years for BIA-ALCL symptoms to appear, even after the implant has been removed. Diagnosing BIA-ALCL can require techniques such as ultrasound, MRI or needle biopsy. Patients who currently have or have had breast implants should contact their plastic surgeon and doctor immediately if they experience any of these symptoms.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, “the overall incidence of BIA-ALCL appears to be low, but the risk is greater than previously thought.” Since 2011, worldwide, 1,380 cases of BIA-ALCL have been reported, including 64 deaths. Of these, 38 deaths have been associated with Allergan breast implants specifically.

A June 2025 study showed how BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations increased the risk of developing BIA-ALCL in women who received textured implants after a mastectomy. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are breast cancer genes, and if present in the body, can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Results of this study showed that women were 16 times more likely to develop BIA-ALCL if they had the BRCA gene and textured breast implants compared to women who didn’t have the BRCA gene.

BIA-ALCL is not the same as breast cancer. Breast cancer is a specific cancer of the breast tissue and often has a genetic component. It usually occurs in the mammary glands and connective tissue. BIA-ALCL forms in the breast around the implant. Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a cancer of the lymphatic system, not breast tissue.

• BIA-ALCL: A rare type of cancer that develops in the immune system.
• Breast cancer: A type of cancer that develops in the breast tissue.

BIA-ALCL may be treated with a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. For many, the immediate treatment is removal of the implant and any cancerous tissue around the implant itself.

The FDA does not recommend immediate removal of recalled breast implants unless you are experiencing symptoms. Contact your doctor to find out if your implant is on the FDA's recall list. If it is, report any symptoms to your doctor, no matter how mild.

If you have developed BIA-ALCL, your healthcare team should guide your medical treatment. To protect your legal rights you should contact a legal professional. An attorney can advise you if filing a breast implant lawsuit against the manufacturer is an option for you or your loved one.

Can silicone implants cause cancer?

There is no evidence that silicone gel breast implants cause breast cancer. The FDA has said that some rare types of cancer, including BIA-ALCL are more common in women with textured breast implants. These rare cancers tend to develop in the scars surrounding all types of breast implants, including silicone. Women with textured breast implants have a significantly higher risk of developing BIA-ALCL than those with smooth breast implants.

Have certain breast implants been recalled?

In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration requested a recall of the Allergan Biocell® textured breast implants and tissue expanders due to the increased risk of developing BIA-ALCL. Allergan then issued a worldwide recall for the Biocell implants and offered patients a “warranty” if they had their implants removed. They also offered to replace the implants with smooth Allergan implants “free of charge.”

Is there a breast implant illness class action lawsuit?

In 2018, U.S. class action lawsuits against Allergan were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL). Class action lawsuits and MDLs are different ways of handling large litigations. Plaintiffs in these lawsuits allege they suffered injuries from the Allergan textured breast implants.

If you experienced serious side effects or a BIA-ALCL diagnosis from Allergan implants, you may be eligible to join this MDL.

For decades, our attorneys have represented women left with serious injuries and complications from defective breast implants. Motley Rice has extensive experience litigating breast implants, other implanted medical devices and medical drugs cases, including:

• Transvaginal mesh
• Toxic hair relaxer
• IUDs such as Paragard® birth control

Read more on our defective medical device litigation experience.