Anaplastic large cell lymphoma occurring in association with breast implants: review of pathologic and immunohistochemical features in 103 cases.

Primary lymphomas of the breast are uncommon, and mostly of B-cell type. In the late 1990s, reports began to appear,primarily in the Pathology literature, of an apparently new category of breast lymphoma of T-cell type, having a particular association with silicone breast implants. This condition came to be recognized as implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma.Appearing initially as individual case reports, the pathologic features were somewhat variable and the diagnosis was difficult. This review describes the pathologic and immunohistochemical features of implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the breast drawn from a series of 103 cases. Recommendations are given for the management of removed implants, for the approach to differential diagnosis and the choice of initial immunohistochemical panels.