To all of my patients,
I wanted all of you to know that I am and have been following the BIA-ALCL very closely. There has been a recent recall of Allergan textured implants. While we have not used those implants in a long time, I have used them in the past. We will be contacting all of them individually. My patient’s safety is the highest concern. I also don’t want to start an unnecessary panic. Here is a little more about BIA-ALCL including some helpful links at the bottom with reputable information.
While breast implants have been studied for more than two decades and very rarely produce side effects, we wanted to make you aware of an uncommon condition called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). This condition has only been documented thus far in textured implants and is very treatable when caught early.
Symptoms of the condition may include swelling, redness, changes in firmness or lumps around one or both implant(s). If you are experiencing these or any other symptoms, please contact us for an appointment. In the vast majority of patients, these symptoms are not serious and may or may not require treatment.
Generally, it is a good idea to follow up with your plastic surgeon periodically to ensure that your implants are still intact and not producing any unwanted side effects. Mammograms will not detect these changes, only MRIs will, so we urge you to follow up with us periodically if you notice any of the above-listed side effects or are experiencing any other symptoms or discomfort.
I would like for you to call my office if you have any questions or concerns. If treated early, BIA-ALCL is almost always completely curable, but if untreated, it can be more serious.
Additionally, I want to remind you of the importance of ongoing breast health surveillance including self-breast exams and mammograms scheduled by your physician.
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/patient-safety/bia-alcl-summary
https://www.surgery.org/sites/default/files/BIA-ALCL-Talking-Points-6-24-19.pdf
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/for-medical-professionals/health-policy/bia-alcl-physician-resources
Sincerely
Malcolm Rude, M.D.