Implant-associated anaplastic large T-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL): case report

Abstract

Recognized by the World Health Organization in 2016, breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is an uncommon subtype of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops after the insertion of breast implants. The disease is a rare condition that affects approximately one in every 30,000 people with textured breast implants. The main clinical manifestations are late seroma, breast asymmetry, mass, and capsular contracture, with a higher frequency of the former. Explantation of the prosthesis with total capsulectomy may be sufficient to treat ALCL, with resections extended to adjacent sites when necessary. However, in some cases, adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy is performed. It is concluded that, for an early diagnosis and effective treatment, women with sudden and late-onset seroma should undergo additional tests to exclude this condition, even with a shorter development time than the average, which is around 10.6 years.

Keywords

• lymphoma, large-cell, anaplastic
• positron-emission tomography
• lymphoma, non-hodgkin
• seroma
• breast implantation