Breast Implants and Lymphoma

Breast Implants and Lymphoma  - In January 2011, articles in major U.S. newspapers on the association of breast implants and lymphoma. This is known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a rare form of cancer. Approximately 1.5 million women are diagnosed with ALCL (anywhere in the body) in the United States each year. Only 3 of 100 million women per year in the United States are diagnosed with ALCL in the breast. Breast ALCL were identified more frequently in patients with implants for revision surgery. Currently there are about 60 case reports of ALCL in women with breast implants worldwide. The total number of implants worldwide, estimated that between 5-10 million. Based on these figures, for women with breast implants is estimated that one of every 125 000 to develop breast cancer ALCL. To put things in perspective, in the same woman, the rate of breast cancer in September

According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) women with breast implants have a very low risk, but increased in order to develop the disease in the scar capsule around the implant. Fortunately, it seems that this lymphoma occurs in breast tissue. So far it is not possible, a type of implant (silicone over saline) or a reason for the implant (reconstruction of breast cancer on the rise of aesthetics in the comparison) in connection with identifying more or less risk. Currently (February 2011), are the recommendations:

1) In women with no abnormal signs or symptoms, breast implants should not be deleted because of the fear of lymphoma.

2) No evidence of lymphoma in patients with breast implants who have no symptoms. This is because the reported cases of breast ALCL were chronic manifestations of pouch fluid (seroma), pain, swelling, swelling or asymmetry. Chronic Seroma is persistent and recurring, and should be of post-operative lymphocele, which often differ immediately after breast surgery. In addition, there is no reliable method to screen breast ALCL has not identified non-invasively.

3) If ALCL breast cancer is suspected, the plastic surgeon, parts seroma fluid to collect fresh and representatives of the capsule (scar around the implant) at the time of surgery and pathology tests. The diagnosis should include an assessment seroma cytology with Giemsa-Wright stain colors and cell block immunohistochemistry testing for the cluster of differentiation (CD) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase marker (KLA).

4) If the breast ALCL is confirmed, the implant and the surrounding capsule are removed. The patient should be referred to a multidisciplinary team of surgical, radiation and medical oncology experience. Because this cancer is very rare, there is no consensus for treatment regimen for the general population is defined. The treatment should be individualized and may include requiring additional surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.