New surgical guidelines for rare cancer associated with breast implants launched

New surgical guidelines for the treatment of a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma which can occur in patients with synthetic breast implants have been launched. The Clinical Guideline on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Implant Associated – Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), was commissioned by the HSE National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead for Acute Operations. It was launched at the 49th Sir Peter Freyer Surgical Symposium by Mr Padraic Regan, National Clinical Advisor for Plastic Surgery and the President of RCSI, Professor Deborah McNamara. The objective of this national clinical guideline is to provide standards for care in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of this newly classified, rare lymphoma.

The objective of this national clinical guideline is to provide standards for care in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of this newly classified, rare lymphoma. It promotes teamwork and communication by defining a care pathway which should support earlier diagnosis in the management of this rare, complex, multifaceted condition. Mr Padraic Regan, National Clinical Advisor for Plastic Surgery (NCPS), said: “The NCPS is delighted to launch this important BIA-ALCL clinical guideline. It is reassuring for the Plastic and Breast Surgeons to have this document available as a framework for care. More importantly, it offers reassurance to people impacted by this cancer, that their care will be informed by these evidence-informed guidelines”

For more information, please click here