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Breast Implant Associated-Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (Bia-Alcl)
Breast Implant Associated-Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (Bia-Alcl)
Breast Implant
This brochure provides useful
Associated-Anaplastic
information on Breast Implant
Anaplastic-Associated Large Cell Large Cell Lymphoma
Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL):
(BIA-ALCL)
• What it is
• Symptoms
• Testing options
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
BIA-ALCL is a rare and highly treatable
type of lymphoma that can develop around
breast implants. BIA-ALCL occurs most
plastic surgeons identify safe, effective treatments for their
Women who develop these symptoms should LYMPHOMA CELLS • MD Anderson Cancer Center:
see their physician to be evaluated with a www.mdanderson.org/cancer-types/
physical exam and further testing. Patients with LYMPHOMA CELLS WITHIN
implant-associated-anaplastic-large-cell-
BIA-ALCL symptoms will receive an ultrasound EFFUSION FLUID
lymphoma.html
or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of BREAST IMPLANT
the symptomatic breast to evaluate for fluid • The US FDA: https://www.fda.gov/
or lumps around the implant and in the MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedical
lymph nodes. Procedures/ ImplantsandProstheti
Treatment of BIA-ALCL
If fluid or a mass is found, patients will require When a woman is diagnosed with BIA-ALCL, her
a needle biopsy with drainage of the fluid physician will refer her for a PET/CT scan to look
to test for BIA-ALCL. This fluid will be tested for any disease that may have spread throughout CONTACT US
for CD30 immune staining (CD30IHC) per-
the body. Any spread of the disease determines
formed by a pathologist. Testing for CD30IHC Attn. Research
the stages, which is important for treatment.
is required to confirm a diagnosis or rule out American Society of Plastic Surgeons
BIA-ALCL. Fluid collections ruled out by CD30I- For patients with BIA-ALCL only around the
HC for BIA-ALCL will be treated as typical sero- implant, surgery is performed to remove the breast 444 E. Algonquin Road,
mas by a physician. Most insurance companies implant and the scar capsule around the implant. Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005
confirm coverage for both testing and treatment
of BIA-ALCL, regardless of whether the patient Patients with more advanced forms of BIA-ALCL 847-228-9900
received cosmetic or reconstructive implants; may have disease in their lymph nodes, in their
patients should review plans for their individual bones and/or organs. These patients require alcl@plasticsurgery.org
coverage. There is no testing or screening for further treatment with chemotherapy.
www.plasticsurgery.org/ALCL
women without symptoms.