TeachableMedicalNews article 11072020
Teachable moment in classrooms:
- cellular basis of life chapter – gene mutation leading to malfunctioning protein
- cellular basis of life chapter – mitosis or somatic cell division
- integumentary system chapter – scar tissue formation during dermal wound healing
- immune system chapter – lymph nodes as location of lymphocytes
- immune system chapter – cell division as part of immune response in lymph nodes.
The news item: Recently a recall of breast implants was in the news:
Breast implants tied to rare form of cancer recalled at FDA request
Allergan Inc. announces a worldwide recall of implants with a textured surface
The report described how one type of breast implant made by Allergan is associated with the development of a rare cancer, called anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).
So, Why Do I Care?? Altogether close to 600 anaplastic large cell lymphoma cases have been reported in women with breast implants. Even such a relatively slow number of cancers is a concern, because most of those cases occurred in women with one type of implant. Add to this that breast implants have been considered as a cosmetic alteration that presents little danger, but now a specific disorder is associated with them. That is a substantial change in how we view the risks of this procedure
Plain English, Please!!!
First, let’s talk about how a breast implant affects the body. This cosmetic implant is made of plastic, and it is surgically inserted under the skin. The normal wound