Two women who say they had their breast implants removed due to a fear of developing cancer have filed lawsuits against implant maker Allergan.

The two lawsuits were filed against Allergan as part of an ongoing multidistrict litigation (MDL). Although neither woman developed breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA ALCL), both say they had their implants removed due to a fear of developing the cancer.

The first plaintiff, Tamara H., says in her lawsuit that her Natrelle silicone-filled breast implants were implanted in 2001. Since the original surgery, Tamara says she developed several issues, such as breast pain, capsular contracture, difficulty sleeping, chest burning, and more.

In January 2018, Tamara had her breast implants removed and parts of her scar tissue capsules removed.

Because Tamara did not have all of the scar tissue capsules removed with her breast implants, she may still be at risk for developing BIA ALCL. In her lawsuit, she notes she may face future surgeries and medical expenses as a result of breast implant-related health complications.

The second plaintiff, Corin A., tells a similar story.

She says that she had Natrelle silicone-filled implants for nearly nine years before having them removed in January 2020.

Corin says her explant surgery was motivated by her fear of BIA ALCL after experiencing symptoms such as inflammation, pain, swollen lymph nodes, rashing, and other symptoms consistent with cancer.

Unfortunately, due to the explant surgery, Corin allegedly sustained complications such as nerve damage.

Corin’s husband Richard D. is also included in the lawsuit and brings claims for loss of consortium.

Claims from Tamara and Corin are only the most recent in a long chain of complaints related to BIA ALCL. The unique form of cancer was first identified by the FDA in 2011 and has continued to show a strong link to textured breast implants.

Unlike breast cancer, which develops in the tissues of the breast, BIA ALCL develops within the scar capsule that forms around a breast implant post-surgery. In most cases, the cancerous growths are limited to this capsule and can be removed before they spread throughout the body.

However, there is the chance that the cancer will spread to other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes of the nearby armpit region.

Through further research, health authorities discovered BIA ALCL is more likely to occur with textured surface breast implants rather than it is with smooth-surface implants.

Research also revealed Allergan’s BIOCELL textured breast implants were linked to a large number of BIA ALCL cases and deaths.

According to the FDA’s June 2020 request for Allergan to recall its BIOCELL products, the company’s breast implants and tissue expanders were linked to 481 of 573 worldwide BIA ALCL cases and 12 of 13 BIA ALCL deaths in which the breast implant was identified.

The Breast Implant Lawsuits are a part of In re: Allergan Biocell Textured Breast Implant Products Liability Litigation, Case No. 2:21-cv-03897-BRM-ESK, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.