Anaplastic large cell lymphoma in people with breast implants

What you need to knowMost cases of breast implant associated anaplastic lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) are indolent and present as unilateral breast swelling eight to 10 years after implant surgery, but symptoms can be non-specific and have been reported as early as three months after implant surgeryIncreasingly, evidence supports a causal relation between highly textured, high surface area implants and anaplastic large cell lymphomaReport all cases to the relevant national medicines regulatory authorityA woman in her 40s presents to her GP with painless unilateral breast swelling, eight years after unilateral mastectomy and implant based breast reconstruction. Clinical examination reveals an isolated uniform swelling of the breast only, with no palpable mass or lymphadenopathy. Ultrasonography confirms the presence of a homogenous effusion, and cytological evaluation of the effusion aspirate shows pleomorphic lymphocytes that are CD30 positive and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK-1) negative.The link between breast implants and systemic disease has been debated since…
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