Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) BAPRAS Statement

Following recent stories regarding the links between breast implants and a rare form of cancer – Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma – BAPRAS would like to issue a short statement regarding the reported link.

Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that is associated with the insertion of textured breast implants. Most cases of BIA-ALCL have presented with a sudden swelling of one breast several years after implantation.

Although the incidence of BIA-ALCL appears to be very low, any patients with breast implants who are concerned around their health should contact their surgeon or clinic, particularly if they suddenly develop a swelling (a seroma) or a lump in the breast after having a breast implant (regardless of how many years later).

Patients considering breast implant surgery should consult with the healthcare practitioner on the risks associated with breast implant surgery, including the risk of BIA-ALCL, ahead of surgery.

BAPRAS remains in close communication with the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and any changes in its advice will be passed on to our members.

 A Breast and Cosmetic Implant Registry has been developed in the UK to actively monitor all implants, track and trace their use and provide data for further research. BAPRAS strongly recommends that all members utilise this resource - please ask your surgeon for further information about this registry. For those interested in further information, we would recommend an article, The new opt-out Dutch National Breast Implant Registry – Lessons learnt from the road to implementation, included in the October 2017 issue of JPRAS (Rakhorst et al., Pages 1354-1360).

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