Breast Implant-Associated Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA ALCL)

BIA ALCL- Textured surface breast implants were removed from the Canadian market in May 2019.

In 2017, Health Canada initiated a review of Canadian cases of rare cancer associated with textured surface breast implants. This entity is known as breast implant-associated – anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). It is lymphoma and not breast cancer. BIA-ALCL develops in the scar tissue around a breast implant. The incidence is low. The majority of cases have been associated with textured surface breast implants. To date, scientific reports indicate favorable outcomes when affected patients are treated by breast implant explantation with surgical excision of the surrounding capsule. As of 2019, the national consensus on treatment is to surgically remove the implant and its surrounding scar without delay in any woman developing BIA-ALCL.

Textured surface breast implants were removed from the Canadian market in May 2019.