New Research Links Breast Implants and Lymphoma Yet Again

According to new research results, the often-discussed link between breast implants and a rare form of lymphoma has found new life.

According to a study done by the nonprofit RAND Corporation, the type of lymphoma that has traditionally been associated with breast implants in the past tends to progress slowly and can in fact be treated by the surgical removal of the breast implant and surrounding capsule.

Originally, the possible link between breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) first received wide spread attention in 1996. The publication which included the information described a particular case of a woman with implants who went on to develop ALCL in tissue next to one of her implants. Since that point, a number of similar reports have emerged citing a similar association between breast implants and ALCL.

In order to come to their conclusions, researchers reviewed published materials regarding breast implants and ALCL.

"Much more research is still needed to explore the link between breast implants and ALCL and the clinical significance of this rare disease, but our findings provide useful information for both patients and physicians in the near term," senior author Dr. Soeren Mattke, a senior scientist at RAND, said in a corporation news release.

The review went on to include information regarding 36 published cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma among women with breast implants. Of those, 29 were eventually diagnosed with ALCL.

The findings of this study appeared in the April 15 online edition of the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.