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Injury guide

BIA-ALCL: signs, diagnosis and implant records

Swelling or a lump near an implant needs medical care. BIA-ALCL is a lymphoma, not breast cancer.

See If You Qualify

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Updated Oct 4, 202613 sources

This may apply to you if

  • Bring the implant brand, model and operation dates, if known.
  • Bring records of a BIA-ALCL diagnosis or other health concerns for an individual check.
  • Explain prior implant removal or replacement without assuming it decides your legal claim.

What the public record says

These are cited sources. Their inclusion does not imply that they endorse People’s Justice or reviewed this page.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Federal medical-device safety agency

Finding: FDA requested the BIOCELL recall because of BIA-ALCL risk. It did not recommend routine removal in patients without symptoms because of surgical risks.

FDA recall request, July 24, 2019 (opens in a new tab) · Jul 24, 2019 · Checked Oct 3, 2026

Leda Dunn Wettre · United States District Court for the District of New Jersey · United States Magistrate Judge

Finding: The July 14, 2026 order set pretrial deadlines for the Henson and Rabin cases. It did not set an individual award.

Case Management Order 42 (opens in a new tab) · Jul 14, 2026 · Checked Oct 3, 2026

The evidence and its limits

U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2019

FDA BIOCELL recall safety review

Design:
Agency review
Participants:
Review of safety reports, registry data and literature; not one enrolled patient trial.
Finding:
FDA requested recall of certain Allergan BIOCELL textured devices because of BIA-ALCL risk.
Main limitation
The recall does not decide an individual claim or mean all patients should have implants removed.

Read the source: FDA BIOCELL recall safety review (opens in a new tab) · Checked Oct 3, 2026

The short answer

What is BIA-ALCL?
It is a cancer of the immune system. It often occurs in fluid or scar tissue near an implant. It is different from breast cancer. [2]
Which changes should I discuss with a doctor?
Tell your doctor about lasting swelling, pain or a new lump. These are signs FDA lists for further review. A website cannot diagnose the cause. [2]
How can the diagnosis be checked?
A care team may use an exam, scans and fluid or tissue tests. Those tests help check for the lymphoma. A symptom list is not a confirmed diagnosis. [2]
Does the recall show that I have this disease?
No. FDA asked Allergan to recall certain BIOCELL devices because of risk. The recall does not diagnose each person who received one. [1]

What rules a case out

Not covered by this case

  • A recalled model alone does not establish a legal claim.
  • Symptoms need a clinical assessment; no award or personal filing date is promised.

The process

What happens next

  1. 01

    You answer a few questions

    About two minutes. Nothing is sent until you agree on the last step and press submit.

  2. 02

    A lawyer looks at it

    A lawyer at the firm reads your answers and checks them against the current case criteria.

  3. 03

    The firm decides and gets in touch

    If the firm takes your case, you get the terms in writing to read before you sign. You can always say no.

When it fits this case

  • Bring the implant brand, model and operation dates, if known.
  • Bring records of a BIA-ALCL diagnosis or other health concerns for an individual check.
  • Explain prior implant removal or replacement without assuming it decides your legal claim.

Swelling or a lump near an implant needs medical care. BIA-ALCL is a lymphoma, not breast cancer. Keep the diagnosis and device records for any legal review.

What is BIA-ALCL?

It is a cancer of the immune system. It often occurs in fluid or scar tissue near an implant. It is different from breast cancer.

FDA explains that this lymphoma can spread beyond the area around the implant. A breast-cancer history does not establish this separate diagnosis. Ask your doctor to explain the exact disease name in your report.

Which changes should I discuss with a doctor?

Tell your doctor about lasting swelling, pain or a new lump. These are signs FDA lists for further review. A website cannot diagnose the cause.

Changes may appear years after surgery. Give the clinician the implant history and when the change began. Do not wait for a legal intake reply before seeking an assessment of a health concern.

How can the diagnosis be checked?

A care team may use an exam, scans and fluid or tissue tests. Those tests help check for the lymphoma. A symptom list is not a confirmed diagnosis.

FDA describes specialist testing of fluid and tissue near the implant. Keep the original report rather than calling every fluid collection cancer. A confirmed diagnosis can affect the operation your team recommends.

Does the recall show that I have this disease?

No. FDA asked Allergan to recall certain BIOCELL devices because of risk. The recall does not diagnose each person who received one.

Ask your surgeon or facility for the device card and surgery notes. Compare the actual model with the recall list. A brand name remembered from an advertisement cannot replace that record.

Who may qualify based on the evidence?

FDA found higher risk with textured implants than smooth implants. That finding matters for safety. It does not decide every person’s legal rights.

A lawyer still needs the device, health history and relevant law. The dated court order sets pretrial steps for named cases. It does not award compensation to everyone with a diagnosis.

What records should I keep after my care visit?

Keep the test report, device details and treatment dates. Ask the provider about missing records. Record unanswered questions for your care team and lawyer.

Keep copies of earlier implant changes too. Tell the lawyer if another firm already handles your claim. Ask which records explain the proposed claim before sending a full health file.

Find out where you stand.

The review is free and private. Asking for it doesn’t commit you to anything.

Register your interest

Sources

  1. FDA recall request, July 24, 2019FDA recall request, July 24, 2019 · regulator
  2. FDA BIA-ALCL questions and answersFDA BIA-ALCL questions and answers · regulator
  3. FDA SCC safety communicationFDA SCC safety communication · regulator
  4. FDA BIA-ALCL medical device reportsFDA BIA-ALCL medical device reports · regulator
  5. Allergan recall announcement posted by FDAAllergan recall announcement posted by FDA · regulator
  6. District of New Jersey Allergan MDL homeDistrict of New Jersey Allergan MDL home · court
  7. Case Management Order 42Case Management Order 42 · court
  8. Case Management Order 43Case Management Order 43 · court
  9. FDA breast implant risks and complicationsFDA breast implant risks and complications · regulator
  10. FDA what to know about breast implantsFDA what to know about breast implants · regulator
  11. ABA Model Rule 1.5: FeesABA Model Rule 1.5: Fees
  12. HHS your medical recordsHHS your medical records · regulator
  13. SDNY how long do I have to file?SDNY how long do I have to file? · court

Checked against 13 primary sources by People's Justice editors · Updated

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People's Justice research team · Updated Oct 4, 2026