According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as of September 2020 more than 700 people worldwide have been diagnosed with breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).
The FDA classifies BIA-ALCL as an uncommon cancer. The organization believes that women with textured breast implants have a small but increased risk of developing this disease in the tissue capsule the body forms around a textured implant over time. ALCL may also be found in the lymph nodes and the skin.
At this time, data indicates that the incidence of ALCL is low, even among breast implant patients. Between one in 355 to one in 2,200 of these individuals develop the disease depending on type of textured implant, according to recent studies. Currently, there does not seem to be a greater cancer risk based on the type of implant (silicone or saline) or the type of surgery (breast augmentation or reconstruction).
Overall, lymphomas of any type that occur in the breast are rare, accounting for only 1% to 2% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Most breast lymphomas involve B cells. However, in BIA-ALCL the diseased cells are T cells. While they play different roles, both are cells of the immune system.
Treatment and prognosis of BIA-ALCL patients varies depending on the stage of the disease.
Learn more about breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma:
Why choose MD Anderson for your breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma treatment?
You can be sure you are being cared for by renowned physicians with the highest levels of experience and skill.
A team of more than 30 medical oncologists, plastic and oncologic surgeons, radiation oncologists and pathologists – all experts in their fields and ALCL – work together closely to customize the best treatment for you. A specially trained support team is part of each group.
Groundbreaking Research
MD Anderson researchers are pioneering remarkable advances to give you the best treatment for breast implant-associated ALCL. Areas of study include:
- More-precise ways to diagnose breast implant-associated ALCL
- Radiation and chemotherapy clinical trials for advanced disease
- Novel targeted agents that help your body fight the disease
We constantly test new boundaries with research. Because of this, we can offer many clinical trials (research studies) of new treatments that are not available at other centers. In fact, the dedicated breast implant-associated ALCL research program at MD Anderson is one of few in the world.
And, at MD Anderson you're surrounded by the strength of one of the nation's foremost comprehensive cancer centers. We have all the support and wellness services needed to treat the whole person – not just the disease.
Breast implant-associated ALCL is treated in our Reconstructive Surgery Center.
MD Anderson's Center for Reconstructive Surgery
