Breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma: What do we know?

• Published in: Annales de chirurgie plastique et esthétique Vol. 57; no. 1; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Mychaluk, J, Perignon, D, Qassemyar, Q, Gianfermi, M, Sinna, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01-02-2012
• Subjects: Breast Implants - adverse effects; Breast Neoplasms - chemically induced; Breast Neoplasms - etiology; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Breast Neoplasms - surgery; Female; Humans; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic - chemically induced; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic - pathology; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic - surgery; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Silicones; Sodium Chloride; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1768-319X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anplas.2011.11.007

There is a new concern about a possible association between anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and breast implants. The purpose of this review was to identify and analyze all reported cases of ALCL occurring in patients with breast implants. Therefore, we reviewed all articles published concerning this subject between 1991 and 2011. We found 41 cases of ALCL. The mean age of the patients was 51 years old with an average of 108 months between the implantation and the diagnosis. Over 60 % of the reported cases were aesthetic augmentations. However, none of the published study managed to highlight a correlation between the prosthesis and this lymphoma. Therefore, we believe that for the moment, we can reassure our patients, but we must be aware of this association if a late seroma or a tumefaction occur on prosthesis. The surgical management seems to be essential for the diagnosis and the treatment, especially by the negative ALK and CD 30 expression of this lymphoma.