A new analysis has uncovered stark differences in the rates of breast anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a rare cancer often linked to breast implants, among women of different racial and ethnic backgrounds in the United States. According to the American Medical Journal, drawing on two decades of data from the SEER database, this study highlights not only the rarity of breast ALCL, but also the uneven burden it places on certain populations.
Who Is Most Affected?
Between 2000 and 2020, 90 women were diagnosed with breast ALCL, with another 55 cases of similar T-cell lymphoma included in the analysis. The statistics show White women are disproportionately affected, making up nearly three-quarters (72.4%) of cases. Hispanic women accounted for 13.1%, while cases among Black, Asian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native women were scarce.
When calculated per 100 million women, the incidence rates clarify the disparity: 11.6 cases for White women, 7.5 for Hispanic women, 3.5 for Black women, and just 0.9 for Asian or Pacific Islander women. These numbers point to a significant variation in risk based on racial and ethnic background.
A Rising Trend—But Not for All
The study also revealed that these rates are changing over time, particularly among White and Hispanic women. In the decade from 2011 to 2020, White women saw their incidence rate of breast ALCL more than double compared to the previous decade, rising from 3.9 to 20.1. Hispanic women experienced an even sharper increase, from 0.8 to 12.7. Interestingly, the trend was not mirrored in the Black population, where the rate actually dropped from 4.9 to 2.4.
Behind the Numbers: Possible Explanations
What’s driving these disparities? Although breast ALCL’s strongest known risk factor is the use of textured breast implants, the exact reasons for racial and ethnic differences remain unclear. Possible contributors include variations in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery preferences, access to certain types of implants, genetic factors, and differences in healthcare availability and follow-up care. These influences may combine in complex ways to affect risk.
Looking to the Future
Dylan K. Kim, AB, and his research team at Columbia University emphasize that these findings call for ongoing vigilance. Monitoring trends in breast ALCL, especially in groups showing the fastest increases, is essential for understanding the underlying causes and guiding safety improvements for breast implant recipients.
In conclusion, while breast ALCL remains a rare diagnosis, its uneven impact across racial and ethnic groups reveals important questions about healthcare practices, access, and biological risk. Continued research and surveillance are necessary to protect women of all backgrounds and ensure that advances in medical safety benefit everyone equally.
