Breast implant – Associated Anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Abstract

Breast Implant –Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma is a newly recognized malignant neoplasm presenting in breasts of women who have had breast implants for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes. A review of the literature showed thatit is an uncommon, slow growing T-cell lymphoma with morphology and immunophenotype similar to anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Its clinicopathologic features and treatment, however, are unique. It usually follows an indolent clinical course, but it has the potential to form a mass, to invade locally through the periimplant breast capsule into the breast parenchyma or soft tissues and/or to spread to regional lymph nodes. Surgical removal of the implant en bloc with the whole of the capsule (explantation plus complete capsulectomy) is the treatment of choice and confers an excellent disease free and overall survival. In the few cases with metastatic disease, chemotherapy is used as an adjuvant therapy. Early detection and management convey the best prognosis; therefore clinicians, gynecologists among others, ought to be aware of this new entity and refer suspicious cases for further evaluation and treatment. Change in attitudes towards implant based surgery does not seem necessary, as long as patients are properly informed about the risk of breast implant –associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma.