Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

There are approximately 10 million women who underwent breast augmentation with breast implants in the whole world.  Currently, breast augmentation is the number 1 cosmetic procedure performed in the United States with approximately 500,000 implants placed every year.

Before & After Photos of Breast Augmentation using the Dual-Plane Technique performed by Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz. 

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a dinstinctive type of T-cell lymphoma that occurs after breast augmentation or enlargement.  This occurs around the breast implants itself.  Fortunately, this is a rare condition with approximately 258 cases that has been documented since 1997 (as of September 2015.) 

Clinical Findings and Symptoms of Patients who may potentially have ALCL:

• Persistent Seroma
• Seroma associated with breast pain or swelling
• Occurs an average of 9 years after breast augmentation
• All reported cases of breast implant-associated ALCL have involved textured breast implants

What are your risks for developing ALCL (Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma)?

• incidence varies from 0.1 and 0.3 per 100,000 women with breast implants per year.
• One in 100 million women per year in the general population (based on the data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program of the National Cancer Institute.)
• Lifetime prevalence was 33 per 1 million women with a textured breast implant or 1 per 30,000 women with a textured breast implant.

I recommend discussing your risks for development of ALCL with your plastic surgeon prior to having breast augmentation.

References:

Doren, et al.  US Epidemiology of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma.  Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Volume 139 Number 5May 2017 pp104-1049

Emmanuel De La Cruz MD, PLLC

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon (Houston, TX)