Member S Letterhead and Logo

Member’s letterhead and logo

Date

Dear Mary:

You may have seen some press reports recently involving breast implants and an extremely rare condition called ALCL (which stands for Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma). These reports derive from an FDA advisory to doctors and the public – you can see the report by logging onto

I am getting in touch today to tell you the facts behind this advisory. To date, ALCL has only been identified in 34 cases out of an estimated 5 to 10 million women with implants worldwide. As opposed to systemic (or general) ALCL which can occur anywhere in the body, this condition appears in the scar tissue that forms around the implant. The women who have this condition (in the presence of breast implants) have responded to a variety of treatments, including simple removal of the implant and surrounding scar capsule.

So, what should you do? First, don’t worry. The true incidence of this condition is unknown but I agree with the FDA and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, that this extremely rare condition is not breast cancer.

Second, continue your regular breast exams, and follow the advice from the FDA: “if you have no symptoms, FDA does not recommend doing anything additional (to your regular breast exams). Women should continue monitoring their implants and obtaining regular breast screening evaluations. FDA does not recommend removing the implants”.

However, if you do see changes in the way the area around the implant looks or feels—including swelling or pain around the implant, please call us at xxx-xxx-xxxx for an evaluation.

Third, if you are considering implants, remember, they are one of the most studied devices in recent medical history, and because of the extreme rarity of this condition, the vast majority of plastic surgeons will never see a single case in a lifetime of practice. However, you should discuss this, or any other concern with me in our consultation to determine if implants are the right choice for you.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about implants or any other cosmetic surgery or injectable procedure, just call the office.

Best,