A Case Report of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma in a PALB2 Mutation-Positive Woman

Am Surg. 2023 Nov;89(11):4874-4877. doi: 10.1177/00031348211011056. Epub 2021 Apr 15.

Abstract

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare peripheral T-cell lymphoma composed of anaplastic pleomorphic T cells. The first case was reported in 1997 but was not recognized until 2016 by the World Health Organization. The exact incidence is unknown but is estimated to be 0.1 to 0.3 per 100,000 women with implants. Almost every case has been found in women with textured breast implants. The median time of onset after implantation is 10.7 years. Patients presenting with localized disease, most commonly manifesting as breast enlargement, can be managed solely with surgical resection and have a 100% survival rate. This report describes a PALB2 mutation-positive woman with a strong family history of breast cancer who underwent prophylactic bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy with textured silicone implant placement. She was diagnosed with BIA-ALCL less than 4 years later after seroma aspiration. She was treated with implant removal and capsulectomy; but, surprisingly, final surgical pathology did not show any malignancy.

Keywords: PALB2 mutation; T-cell lymphoma; breast implant–associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breast Implants* / adverse effects
  • Breast Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group N Protein* / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic* / etiology
  • Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic* / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation

Substances

  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group N Protein
  • PALB2 protein, human