POSTED UNDER Breast Implants Reviews
Got CANCER and a 17-month-long Seroma from my Implants, Now Forced to Have Them Removed with Even Bigger Scar. - Toronto, ON
UPDATED FROM FairWanderer
8 years post
Surgeons don't want to test for ALCL cancer....
FairWandererSeptember 6, 2014
$28,000
I think that PS's in general don't test for ALCL (which 100% is cancer - it's lymphoma!) because they don't want more people on record as having it. So, instead, they just do the recommended treatment (without the testing to see if it has spread), and remove the implants, and cross their fingers. If the lymphoma has already spread, or spreads after that, now there's no way to prove it was breast implant associated. :(
FairWanderer's provider
UPDATED FROM FairWanderer
8 years post
FYI
FairWandererSeptember 6, 2014
FYI: My seroma came and went about every two months for the first year, and then stayed large for the past 8 months. I also had an itchy rash on my calves and arms (probably a reaction to the inflammation).
I'm having surgery to have the implants removed this month, at Memorial Sloan in NYC. They don't think I should put new ones in, but I plan on putting smooth gel ones in (using Dr Tracy Pfeifer) after I heal fully, in 3 to 6 months. No way am I going to wear a training bra for the rest of my life!
I'm having surgery to have the implants removed this month, at Memorial Sloan in NYC. They don't think I should put new ones in, but I plan on putting smooth gel ones in (using Dr Tracy Pfeifer) after I heal fully, in 3 to 6 months. No way am I going to wear a training bra for the rest of my life!
Replies (1)
September 6, 2014
Good luck!! All the best.. Wish you a smooth recovery.
Btw why did u decide on putting smooth gel one?
UPDATED FROM FairWanderer
8 years post
Logic dictates that the stats on how many women get ALCL are totally wrong
FairWandererAugust 29, 2014
I think that the stats on how many women get ALCL are completely wrong. It only makes sense that way way more women get this and are simply not tested for it correctly (it requires very specific type of testing that can only be done in certain major top cancer centers, and many doctors would accidentally put the biopsy specimen in formaldehyde which would kill the lymphoma cells and product a negative result, for example, or they would do the wrong test, which happened to me several times before the correct one was done at Memorial Sloan). Also, I saw five top NYC surgeons (both in private practice and at the top hospitals here) and a slew of doctors and NONE of them thought to test for ALCL despite the fact that I had a recurring seroma for 18 months. My mom read about ALCL and I had to go get tested on my own to find out I had it. So, if I had that experience in the upper east side of NYC, then imagine someone living in Oklahoma or Brasil... there's almost no chance they'd get tested, or tested correctly. Also, the treatment is to remove the implant and capsule before it spreads and needs chemo... I imagine that most of the women who've had seromas did this without realizing that it was cancer and were just lucky that it didn't spread... or it did spread and they assumed it was regular Lymphoma. See my point? The FDA numbers can't possibly be correct.
Replies (2)
April 23, 2015
you are spot on. I am in Oklahoma. I present to my PC with a large hematoma/fluid collection under my left breast, it was extremely painful. Had ultrasound and they sent me home with ice and pain meds. It subsided several days later. Then suddenly my left arm started tingling and almost went completely numb. I went to the hospital and they did a CT scan and the radiologist came into the room to say my RIGHT implant look deformed or abnormal on the scan, which is odd because I hadn't had any symptoms on the right. PC ordered an MRI two weeks later. MRI confirmed rupture on both sides. Right was intracapsular, left extrcapsular. I went to see a PS/recon surgeon to get on his sched for removal and he read all of my symptoms (26lb weight loss, hair loss, skin rash, night sweats, breast pain, hematoma, arm numbness etc) and he said he had a patient with ALCL with exact symptoms. He didn't feel comfortable removing until I had oncology work up and a PET scan. Oncologist found enlarged lymph node in left armpit and in my pelvic region (both sides). I am going to MD Anderson in Houston in 2 days for clinic visit and surgery. Praying that it hasn't spread. It has been almost 2 months of seeing dr's and fighting with insurance company to get proper tests and get to the right dr's. I am ready to start living my life again!!
April 23, 2015
Also, my surgeon at MD Anderson says they are seeing on average 1 new patient a month with bia-ALCL. It is as rare as they have us believe. I have had my implants for 5 years. Allergan Textured cohesive gel.
December 16, 2016
Only 23% of PS are testing for BIA-ALCL. BREAST IMPLANTS cause Cancer, specifically Lymphoma. It is not in the Industry's best interest to promote testing for CD 30.
Rare Vs Under Reported are not synonymous.
Replies (5)