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Glossary Of Terms: BIA-ALCL



Following are some common terminology used when discussing Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL):


Anaplastic Cell: Cancer cells that divide rapidly with little or no resemblance to normal cells. Large abnormal cells. Cells with poor cellular differentiation.


Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL): A rare type of T-cell lymphoma.


Capsular Contracture: A reaction by the immune system when there are foreign material(s) in the body.


CD30: "CD30 is a substance that normally occurs on activated T-cell lymphocytes. It also is found rarely in some lymphomas. Testing for CD30 through a process called immunohistochemistry can indicate BIA-ALCL. This test should be performed on all fluid that collects more than one year after implantation. If CD30 is not detected in the fluid, BIA-ALCL can be excluded. If CD30 is detected, this may indicate BIA-ALCL. Before a doctor can make a final diagnosis, two other tests should be done: cell block cytology and flow cytometry." as per the American Society of Plastic Surgeons


Cell Block Cytology: A technique where doctors collect and examine cells by taking out tiny pieces of tissue, sediment, or blood clots. The fluid is removed through fine needle aspirations or fluid aspirations for evaluation.


Chemotherapy: "Used to treat primary systemic ALCL. The most common chemotherapy combination given is CHOP, which is cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Procytox), doxorubicin (Adriamycin), vincristine (Oncovin) and prednisone." as per the Canadian Cancer Society


Clonal Expansion: A cancer cell that replicates itself.


Flow Cytometry: A technology to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of particles in a fluid as they pass through a laser.


Indolent Lymphoma: An indolent lymphoma is one that progresses slowly.


Inflammation: Typically occurs due to an injury or infection when a part of the body becomes red, swollen, hot and often painful.


Lymphoma: A lymphoma is cancer of the lymph system. The lymph system is comprised of lymph cells and lymph nodes. Lymph cells are part of the body's immune system assisting in protecting the body and getting rid of anything that may cause harm. Lymph nodes are glands that filter substances that travel through the lymphatic fluid. There are hundreds of lymph nodes in the body. Cancer can appear in the lymph nodes by starting in the lymph nodes or spreading there from somewhere else.


National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN): An alliance of 27 cancer centres in the United States. "It establishes a consensus diagnosis and treatment recommendations for most known cancers. In 2016, NCCN established guidelines for BIA-ALCL that are based on research data." as per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)


PROFILE Registry: In 2012, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), The Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) created the PROFILE Registry set up to track confirmed BIA-ALCL patients in the US at www.thepsf.org/PROFILE.


Radiation Therapy: "Sometimes used for ALCL - external beam radiation therapy may be used when the lymphoma cells are only in one group of lymph nodes." as per the Canadian Cancer Society


Targeted Therapy: "Uses drugs to target specific molecules (such as proteins) on the surface of cancer cells. These molecules help send signals that tell cells to grow or divide. By targeting these molecules, the drugs stop cancer cells from growing and spreading while limiting harm to normal cells. Brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) is the targeted therapy drug that may be given for systemic ALCL that comes back (recurs) or doesn’t respond to CHOP or another combination of chemotherapy drugs." as per the Canadian Cancer Society


Textured Implant Particles: Small pieces of the rough surface of a breast implant designed to prevent slippage and to minimize scar tissue. Recent studies are aimed at determining the extent of shedding that may occur with the surface particulate in the human body.



All posts are intended strictly for educational purposes. It is not intended to make any representations or warranties about the outcome of any procedure. It is not a substitute for a thorough in-person consultation with a medical professional. If you have questions about your personal medical situation, please call your healthcare provider.

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