ALCL

With Dr. Teitelbaum, caring for your implants extends beyond initial follow-up visits and replacement surgery, continuing far into the future. He treats ALCL and other breast implant-related complications with a focus on early detection, patient safety, and evidence-based care.

What Is ALCL?

Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, or ALCL, is a rare type of lymphoma that has been found around breast implants. Also known as Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), this condition begins as a collection of fluid around the implant containing abnormal white blood cells, resulting in breast enlargement. ALCL is not a cancer of the breast tissue.

When caught early, treatment involves a total removal of your breast implants and the capsules surrounding them. If left untreated, the fluid can spread outside the breast capsule and cause serious issues throughout the body, requiring close medical attention outside of your plastic surgeon.

How to Know If You Have ALCL

ALCL typically develops 2-28 years after implant placement, so it’s important to continue monitoring the health of your breasts well after your augmentation surgery. The condition is most commonly associated with textured implants, but has been found in patients with smooth implants who had previously had textured implants. The most common and earliest symptom of ALCL is swelling of a single breast due to fluid accumulation around the implant, and it is typically a dramatic, noticeable enlargement. Other symptoms include the following:

A lump in the breast or armpit
Skin rash on the breast
Hardening of the breast

There are no screening tests for ALCL, and the condition cannot be caught on a mammogram. Only targeted testing at Dr. Teitelbaum’s Los Angeles office can confirm a diagnosis.

Why Choose Dr. Teitelbaum?

As one of the leading plastic surgeons in Los Angeles and beyond, Dr. Teitelbaum is no stranger to treating breast implant-related complications like ALCL. He’s worked with nearly every breast implant shape, size, and material imaginable, and has performed thousands of successful procedures.

Based in Academic and Clinical Excellence

Dr. Teitelbaum received his doctorate from the UCLA School of Medicine, where he now serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery, and completed his residency at Harvard University. Before opening his private practice in 1995, he earned two board certifications in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery, reflecting his deep commitment to advanced, evidence-backed care. In the three decades since, Dr. Teitelbaum has given lectures on five continents and completed breast implant research with the FDA. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals like Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and he’s earned memberships and leadership positions in the following professional organizations:

Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, 2016-2017 President
California Society of Plastic Surgeons, Treasurer and Legislative Committee Chair
Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, Board Member

Putting Patients First

As a patient, you’ll feel Dr. Teitelbaum’s passion for plastic surgery from your first consultation to your final follow-up visit and beyond. His focus is always on delivering high-quality, natural-looking results regardless of procedure. At his private practice, he works with trained and licensed medical professionals, including a Harvard-trained anesthesiologist, who prioritize patient safety and comfort.

Schedule A Consultation

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A Private Consultation

Your journey with Dr. Teitelbaum will begin with a confidential consultation at his Los Angeles office. There, you’ll describe your symptoms, and Dr. Teitelbaum will complete an in-depth examination of the affected breast.

If Dr. Teitelbaum suspects ALCL, you’ll be directed to testing immediately. Dr. Teitelbaum will use an ultrasound to identify the build-up and carefully remove fluid from around the breast implant, which is then sent to a lab for diagnostic analysis.

Treating ALCL With Targeted Care

To treat ALCL, Dr. Teitelbaum will first confirm that the disease is limited only to the fluid around the implant. If that is the case, treatment requires a complete capsulectomy (removal of the capsule surrounding the implant) and the removal or replacement of your current implants. Many patients opt to replace their implants in both breasts, even if just one is affected by ALCL, to prevent future illness and ensure their chest remains balanced and proportionate.

If the disease has spread outside of the breast, your initial treatment will begin with a complete capsulectomy and breast implant removal. Then, you’ll be referred to an outside medical professional to confirm if chemotherapy or radiation is necessary. You will not be able to replace your breast implants until ALCL is fully cured and you’re back to peak health.

Patient-Focused Recovery

Recovery after treatment for ALCL will depend on the extent of your surgery. If you’ve removed and replaced your implants, your recovery will mirror that of your primary breast augmentation surgery. You may experience mild swelling, tenderness, and discomfort during early recovery, which should fade within a week. Most patients resume light activity within a few days, but you’ll need to avoid strenuous exercise for up to two months to allow your body to heal.

If your ALCL was more advanced and required radiation or chemotherapy, your recovery timeline will be longer and may include symptoms that aren’t solely associated with implant removal. Your doctor should walk you through what to expect during treatment. You may notice some minor swelling and tenderness in the chest after your implant removal, and you’ll need to avoid high-impact exercise for up to two months during recovery.

Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma FAQs

How common is ALCL?

ALCL is a rare condition, with fewer than 2,000 cases worldwide as of May 2025, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Should I remove my textured implants to prevent ALCL?

Because ALCL is so rare, it is not necessary to remove textured implants if you do not have any symptoms. If you’re concerned about the health of your breast implants, contact Dr. Teitelbaum’s office to schedule additional follow-up appointments for extra monitoring.

Is ALCL life-threatening?

When detected early, ALCL is not life-threatening and is completely curable. As of August 2020, there have been 36 unique ALCL-related deaths worldwide, according to the FDA.

How soon can I get new implants after being treated for ALCL?

Most patients with early-stage ALCL can receive new implants during the same procedure in which their diseased implants and capsule are removed. If you require radiation or chemotherapy, you can get new implants after your treatment is complete.

References

BIA-ALCL Physician Resources, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
BIA-ALCL FAQs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Bui JM, Perry T, Ren CD, Nofrey B, Teitelbaum S, Van Epps DE. Erratum to: Histological Characterization of Human Breast Implant Capsules. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2015 Jun;39(3):316-7.