What Patients Say About Cancer Treatment at New Hope
What Is Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma?
Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is an uncommon cancer that appears in the tissues surrounding breast implants. Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), is not a type of breast cancer. Rather, it is a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma — cancer of the cells that build the immune system — that can affect both men and women.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that, as of August 2018, around 230 people in the U.S. had been diagnosed with BIA-ALCL. The disease often remains confined around the breast implant, and most patients receive a positive prognosis.
Breast Implant-Associated ALCL Symptoms
Signs of BIA-ALCL can vary from person to person, with more common symptoms including:
- A spontaneous fluid accumulation in the breast, developing several months or years after getting breast implants
- Redness and inflammation of the breast around an implant
- Contraction of the scar tissue capsule enclosing the breast implant
Having one or more of these signs does not mean you have implant-associated BIA-ALCL. However, it is important that you discuss any symptoms with your physician since they may indicate other health concerns.
Cause of Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma
Doctors define BIA-ALCL in women who underwent breast reconstruction after cancer surgery or breast augmentation. ALCL is a cancer of the T lymphocytes (a subtype of white blood cell) of the immune system, while the majority of lymphomas beginning in the breast of people without implants are of the B lymphocyte type.
The reason for the small increase in this rare cancer in women with breast implants is still not understood. Physicians and the FDA noted that the tumor develops more often in those with breast implants that have a textured outer shell than in those with implants that have a smooth outer shell, but the meaning behind this connection is not clear.
Detection and Diagnosis
Tests for implant-associated ALCL include a thorough review of your family and personal medical profile, lifestyle, and history with cosmetic enhancements. A needle biopsy or drainage of capsule fluid may also be used to determine if you have implant-associated ALCL. Moreover, imaging tests may be ordered to produce comprehensive views of the breasts, which include:
- Computed axial tomography (CAT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Positron emission tomography (PET-CT) scan
- Mammography
- Ultrasound
BIA-ALCL Alternative Treatment Options
At New Hope Unlimited, our medical protocols work by slowing down and reversing the metastasis of cancer cells, all while improving the physical and psychological health of the patient. Our unique combination of traditional, alternative, and holistic therapies focus on the patient first, whereas conventional cancer treatments prioritize the disease over the patient. Click Here to learn more about individualized treatment plans that improve quality of life.
Our Promise
- Advanced Cancer Treatments
- Top-Rated Physicians
- Personal Care
- Patient Satisfaction
Our Top-of-the-Line Medical Facilities
At New Hope Unlimited, we pride ourselves in providing superior comfort, cleanliness, and cancer care at our 8,000 square foot medical treatment center in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. We worked with renowned architects and contractors to create the ideal space for recovery, which includes state-of-the-art lounge areas and spacious private in-rooms that assure the comfort of our patients and their loved ones.
To make our patients feel right at home, each private ward is equipped with high-definition U.S. television, quality bedding, and high-speed internet connection. And with proper nutrition playing a vital role in cancer recovery, New Hope Unlimited also fulfills the dietary needs of each patient using fresh, organic produce to prepare breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners.
Comfort and cleanliness are also strictly implemented in our medical treatment rooms, which are equipped with the latest medical supplies and technology to provide the highest standard of care and treatment. Our medical center also has an in-house Hyperbaric Chamber, a well-established therapy for decompression sickness, exclusively available for our patients’ use.
Further, New Hope Unlimited has maintained its exceptional partnership with Hospital Migoo, a medical group comprised of certified physicians and specialists committed to our patients’ care and well-being.
FAQs
1. Should cancer survivors avoid breast reconstruction to prevent BIA-ALCL?
It is important to note that BIA-ALCL is extremely rare. FDA-approved breast implants are safe, and any possible link should not discourage women from considering breast reconstruction.
2. Can insurance cover these treatments?
While alternative cancer treatments have been available for some time, they still represent an emerging or non-conventional area of medicine. Therefore, insurance coverage for these procedures is generally not accepted by most insurance carriers.
