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Breast implants might increase risk of lymphoma, FDA says
Federal health officials warned Wednesday that breast implants might increase the risk of developing a rare form of lymphoma.
The Food and Drug Administration announced it had detected a possible association between saline and silicone gel-filled breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a cancer of the immune system.
Most women with implants do not have to have them removed or take any other steps beyond the routine monitoring of their health because of the concerns, official said. But women with implants who develop any unusual problems, such as swelling or pain around the implant, should immediately seek medical care, and any women considering implants should be informed of the possible risk, they said.
"Although very rare, the FDA believes women with breast implants may have a small increased risk of developing ALCL," said William Maisel, the FDA's chief scientist.