Textured breast implants offer some benefits over smooth implants, such as a more natural shape to the breast and a lowered risk of painful internal scarring. However, they also carry a small but significant increase to the risk a patient will develop a rare cancer called breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or BIA-ALCL. In response, the US Food and Drug Administration is developing a patient survey to see how women considering the devices balance their competing risks and benefits.
According to a 13 June update to the FDA’s webpage on the risks and complications of breast implants, the...