Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Presenting in a Postpartum Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare cancer found in women with breast implants, occurring approximately eight years after their placement. Since the initial case report of BIA-ALCL in 1997, over 700 cases have been described worldwide and there is now a registry of cases diagnosed in the United States to help learn more about this disease process and prognosis. The majority of cases have been associated with Allergan's textured implants which have been recalled. As this disease is relatively rare with only 1,130 cases described worldwide, it is important to keep BIA-ALCL in mind in the differential diagnosis of a woman presenting with breast swelling and peri-implant fluid collection in the setting of having a textured implant. Outcomes for women with BIA-ALCL are favorable, as most disease is contained within the peri-implant capsule. Thus, complete surgical resection is often curative. Here, we report the case of a 40-year-old woman with BIA-ALCL who presented with unilateral breast swelling in the peripartum period.