Woman who received world's first face transplant dies at age 49

In 2005, Isabelle Dinoire received the world's first face transplant after losing her nose, chin, and lips to an attack by a dog, reports The Guardian.

According to Gizmodo, it was announced on Tuesday that Dinoire, 49, passed away on April 22.

The cause was unspecified, though it was revealed she had been ill for some time.

See more photos of Isabelle:

While the initial procedure was largely successful, the French woman did struggle with issues involving tissue rejection and the medications prescribed to diminish the risk of such an occurrence.

The drugs put her at a high cancer risk level, and she had reportedly developed two different kinds.

The transplant she underwent over a decade ago was groundbreaking, and in the years since, more than 30 similar procedures have been performed.