Number of reports of anaplastic large cell lymphoma linked to breast implants in the UK verified by MHRA

Posted: 01/06/2017

We recently reported that there were now confirmed links between breast implants and a rare form of cancer called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).

At the time of writing our article, the number of reported occurrences in the UK was unclear. We have now had confirmation from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) that it has received 25 adverse incident reports of ALCL in women with breast implants between April 2012 and May 2017. This may not represent all the cases in the UK.

A report does not necessarily indicate that the events described were caused by the implant. They may be adverse reactions to the implant or they may have occurred anyway in the absence of the device (eg due to underlying medical conditions). Therefore the number of reports received by MHRA is not a definitive summary of known or proven adverse reactions to the implant.

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