Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma: Why Must We Learn About It?

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare, breast implant-associated T-cell lymphoma in which CD30 is expressed and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) expression is absent. However, despite the low risk of developing the disease, more information on BIA-ALCL is necessary, because the number of women with breast implants has been increasing worldwide; Brazil is one of the main markets for this type of implant. The objectives of this review are to clarify the issue of BIA-ALCL occurrence after risk-reducing mastectomy, to show the importance of this disease, and to raise awareness among the medical community about this rare pathologic condition. In 2016, BIA-ALCL was included by WHO in the new classification of lymphomas, and this demonstrates the attention that medical entities should give to this disease. Thus, awareness about BIA-ALCL must be broadened among the medical societies and regulatory authorities, both to foster better approaches to this disease, which should be evaluated in a multidisciplinary manner, and to provide better knowledge among health care professionals and the target population about the use of implants.