Hi

ive only just discovered this about the textured implants. I've had mine for coming up to 9 years.

I have no symptoms of anything being wrong at the moment - do you think I should do anything?  I originally had PIP implants and had those replaced over safety issues - again I had no symptoms at the time. And now this!

any advice would be appreciated 

I'd say just inform yourself of what the symptoms are so you're aware of what to look out for xx

Hi

I have had an Alergan textured implant for 3 1/2 years as a result of mastectomy carried out by NHS and a few months after my surgery I heard that these were no longer to be used by the NHS.  A few weeks ago I had bad pains in that breast and should have contacted the breast unit then but didn't (not realising the link with pain to possible BIA-ALCL).  I had also noticed a slow reddening of my breast over the last few months also.  Last week, literally overnight, the redness had spread and it follows a perfect circle outlining the shape of my implant and the whole of my breast had doubled in size.  I managed to see a GP who diagnosed an abscess and gave me strong antibiotics which I am still taking.  Next day, with a fever as well, I returned to the Breast Unit to see a consultant (my original cancer surgeon has moved on) and had an ultrasound.  Scan showed fluid - lots I believe.  Consultant said its good news as she thought I had an infection inside the breast and it seems it is in the skin.  She said the fluid is probably a leak in the implant.  She wants my infection to clear up then she will see me again and mentioned an MRI.

Since then I've been researching and find that if an implant leaks it doesn't account for a huge swelling in the breast and using your link to the BIA-ALCL.com website it seems I have all the symptoms listed including these 'lesions' on the skin of my affected breast.  I am beside myself with worry - it has been bad enough dealing with breast cancer twice over the last 20 years and now the thought of a new cancer is more than I can cope with.

I am really worried about my new NHS consultant who seems to think the ultrasound results were good news.  I even mentioned the type of implant I was given and showed her the Alergan document with my implant details.  She never mentioned any testing of the fluid in my breast to rule out BIA-ALCL.  I am willing to use savings to see a private oncological surgeon but cannot seem to find anyone with that expertise online.  Just wondering if you are able to help?

Thanks so much

Hi Jan SL, if there's fluid and considering the implants you have, they should definitely be doing a fluid aspiration and checking for BIA ALCL (CD30 cells). I think it's worth pushing for this at the breast clinic before you consider paying for it yourself. There's some new Uk guidance due which will support this too. For the time being, you can use the NCCN Guidance which you will have seen on the website you were looking at. You can request this be escalated if they still will not do this testing. Be as assertive as needed and don't take an for an answer. You've done your homework and you're absolutely right to expect the fluid to be tested. It can be exhausting pushing this yourself but you know your body and although this is an uncommon type of cancer, you definitely need to rule it out xx 

Thank you CMW - my follow up appt with the breast unit consultant has been brought forward to tomorrow due to the small abscess turning into two large ones now.  I will ask for the fluid aspiration to test for CD30 cells and will bear in mind that I have the right to escalate which I wasn't aware of.

Thanks again for your support xx

Hi girls just seeing if anyone has had these symptoms 

left breast sore implants 11 years old I seen the breast surgeon said I had a lymph node in my left armpit which my arm is sore and numb feeling. 
I have a ultra sound tomorrow to rule out ruptured or this implant related cancer. 
I have never had fear like this. 
has anyone had this and has came back normal just a case of needed new implants? 
 

thanks v x 

Hi JanSL,

This could be so many different things. BIA ALCL is uncommon so try not worry yet. You're doing everything right. You're informing yourself on BIA ALCL and you're seeing the right doctors. If your ultrasound shows any fluid, hopefully they'll aspirate some for testing (at least 50mls). www.BIAALCL.com has lots of really useful info. Good luck! Let's hope you can rule out BIA ALCL cxxx 

Thank you for replying. 
I was so surprised when he found the lymph node googling all my symptoms says I have lymphoma . 
I have my self completely dead even talking my self into lymph node in my groin now, I don't know if am just making things worse with my anxiety. 
hopefully more answers tomorrow 

Thank you 

V x 

I'm in the same boat. January 11th I have surgeon check up as pain in both sides which is getting worse. Want them out but in UK it seems no one is operating at present. 

Hi L123,

Yes, it is possible to get BIA ALCL after explant. Evidence shows that removing the scar tissue/capsule at the time of explant greatly reduces this chance. 

The most common symptom is swelling of the breast/fluid on the breast (although there are many other more likely causes for swelling other than BIA ALCL). There are a wide range of symptoms that have been connected to BIA ALCL. There's a lot of additional info available here: www.BIAALCL.com 

Xx