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A woman developed a rare blood cancer from butt implants that has been previously linked to textured breast implants, surgeons at University of Southern California told NBC News.
The FDA has been looking into reports that a certain type of textured breast implant is linked to a rare form of blood cancer called anaplastic large cell lymphoma, also known as ALCL.
457 women in the U.S. have been diagnosed with ALCL related to their breast implants, with nine women dying from the disease. Even though ALCL is usually connected with breast implants, doctors just discovered a new case associated with a woman who received butt implants.
“As far as we are aware, this is the first reported case of ALCL that may be associated with textured gluteal implants,” Dr. Joseph Carey, assistant professor of clinical surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, explained to NBC.
Doctors explained a middle aged woman received bilateral textured silicone gluteal implants and within the year, a ultercation formed where the implants were placed. She later received a diagnosis of ALCL.
While the findings are astonishing, it is still rare. According to the NBC report, 36,00 buttock implant surgeries were performed globally in 2017, and this ALCL diagnosis is only one occurrence.
As of now, it’s not likely that those who undergo the procedure will develop cancer, but doctors and researchers are still keeping a close eye on the developments.
“Any person with gluteal implants should follow their doctor’s orders about maintenance and care of their implants, Carey suggested. “We are constantly vigilant about our practices and report our findings, no matter how rare.”
FDA first announced the link between ALCL and textured breast implants in 2011. In March they will convene to discuss the risk of all types of breast implants.
