BIA-ALCL and Breast Implant Illness: What the Evidence Says

BIA-ALCL is a rare cancer of immune system cells linked to breast implants. “Breast implant illness” is a term used for a group of symptoms some people attribute to their implants. They should not be confused with each other.

BIA-ALCL

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma is a rare cancer of immune system cells, not of breast tissue. It has been linked mostly to textured implants. It most often appears years after surgery, commonly as sudden swelling from fluid around the implant, or sometimes as a lump or capsule thickening. When found early and confined to the capsule, it is usually treated by surgery to remove the implant and the surrounding capsule, with other treatment in more advanced cases.

Several regulators have restricted or withdrawn certain textured implants after reviewing the association. Ask your surgeon what the surface of any implant is, and which regulatory approvals it holds.

What to watch for

• Swelling of one breast that appears long after surgery
• A new lump in the breast or armpit
• Pain, redness or changes in the breast

If you notice these, see a doctor and mention your implants.

Breast implant illness

Some people with implants report symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, rashes and anxiety and attribute them to their implants. It is not currently an established medical diagnosis, and research has not found a single clear mechanism. Many people report improvement after implant removal, though studies cannot yet say how much of this is due to the implants themselves. Symptoms are real and deserve a proper medical assessment to look for other causes.

How to approach this as a patient

• Ask about the implant surface and the manufacturer’s safety record
• Ask how the clinic follows up long term
• Keep your implant documentation
• Do not ignore symptoms, and do not assume they are unrelated