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Anaplastic large cell lymphoma and breast implants: five Australian cases
Kim O Taylor1, Howard R Webster, H Miles Prince
1Melbourne, Victoria, Australia From ARC Plastic Surgery and the Hematology Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|March 30, 2012
Summary
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) has been linked to breast implants, particularly textured ones. Early diagnosis is crucial for patients with periprosthetic seroma following breast augmentation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Plastic Surgery
- Immunology
Background:
- While breast implants have not been definitively linked to breast cancer, a subset of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, specifically anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) of T-cell origin, has been reported in association with implant capsules.
- These ALCL cases are more prevalent in women with breast implants compared to the general population.
Observation:
- A cluster of ALCL cases associated with breast implants prompted further investigation.
- Five new cases of ALCL in patients with breast implants were identified, highlighting a potential spectrum of disease presentation.
Findings:
- Both saline and silicone breast implants were implicated in the reported cases.
- Crucially, all identified implant shells featured a textured surface.
- While some cases exhibited aggressive behavior, the overall prognosis for ALCL associated with breast implants appears favorable in most instances.
Implications:
- The widespread adoption of textured implants in the 1990s means they were underrepresented in earlier safety studies.
- Clinicians should consider ALCL in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with periprosthetic seroma more than six months after breast implant insertion.