Link between breast implants after mastectomy, risk of lymphoma: Research

Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma is a rare disease whose incidence has increased recently; this increase may be related to the expanding popularity of textured breast implants. "The risk of developing ALCL is actually much lower than the risk of experiencing a relapse of breast cancer," says lead author Connor J. Kinslow, MD, a resident in radiation oncology at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. The new study was designed to provide women with accurate information about risk and is the first to look at rates of ALCL in breast cancer survivors who've had breast implants after mastectomy. Though the study found that women who have had post-mastectomy breast implants do have a higher risk of ALCL than women in general, "it should be noted that ALCL is a rare cancer," said study leader David Horowitz, MD, assistant professor of radiation oncology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. For many women, breast reconstruction after mastectomy is extremely important to quality of life, and women should feel comfortable going ahead with implants without adding to the psychological burdens that come with a breast cancer diagnosis."