A Rare Case of BIA-ALCL Mass Associated with Mastectomy Skin Flap Erythema After Immunization with COVID-19

Abstract

Background

The immune response to breast implants after COVID-19 disease or COVID-19 vaccine administration includes acute inflammatory manifestations, capsular contracture and seroma. Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a very rare tumor in which numerous up-regulated pro-inflammatory immunological pathways activate a T cell lymphoproliferative disorder.

Methods

The first reported case of a BIA-ALCL hidden mass clinically manifesting with inflammatory signs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccinations is here described.

Results

Complete capsulectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy were performed and immediately after the surgical procedure local inflammatory signs disappeared; no evidence of disease was present 1 year later.

Conclusions

Immunological stimulation by COVID-19 disease and vaccines may highlight some rare clinical manifestations of BIA-ALCL; persistent inflammatory symptomatology over breast implants should be investigated using second-level imaging.

Level of Evidence V

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