Background and objective

In 1995, the first notification relating anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and breast implants was established. Twenty four years later, hundreds of articles have been published about this topic.

The aim of this study is to review the published cases and summarize the current knowledge about this entity bringing it closer to Hispanic readers.

Methods

A systematic review was performed in PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciELO and Google Scholar databases since 1995 to October 2019.

Results

A total number of 122 case reports were analyzed. The information collected was heterogeneous. The shortage of Ibero-Latinoamerican published cases was evidenced. Data elements abstracted included information about patient demographics, medical history, implant characteristics, presenting symptoms, diagnosis and staging, treatment, and patient outcomes.

Conclusions

Despite diagnosis and current treatment to BIA-ALCL are fairly standardized, more rigorous studies are required to establish actual incidence and etiology. The lack of common criteria when collecting or reporting clinical cases makes difficult a truthful and uniform data collection. Communication of any incident related to breast implants, both to the national implant registries and to the scientific community, is necessary in order to gather quality information as a basis for evidence-based decision making.

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