New surgical guidelines for the treatment of a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma which can occur in patients with synthetic breast implants have been launched.

The Clinical Guideline on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Implant Associated – Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), was commissioned by the HSE National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead for Acute Operations. It was launched at the 49th Sir Peter Freyer Surgical Symposium by Mr Padraic Regan, National Clinical Advisor for Plastic Surgery and the President of RCSI, Professor Deborah McNamara.

The objective of this national clinical guideline is to provide standards for care in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of this newly classified, rare lymphoma.

It promotes teamwork and communication by defining a care pathway which should support earlier diagnosis in the management of this rare, complex, multifaceted condition.

Mr Padraic Regan, National Clinical Advisor for Plastic Surgery (NCPS), said: “The NCPS is delighted to launch this important BIA-ALCL clinical guideline. It is reassuring for the Plastic and Breast Surgeons to have this document available as a framework for care. More importantly, it offers reassurance to people impacted by this cancer, that their care will be informed by these evidence-informed guidelines”

“Getting these guidelines published was a collaboration of many stakeholders and the NCPS is grateful to all those who contributed to this work”, added Mr Regan.

RCSI President Professor Deborah McNamara said: “I am very pleased to see the publication of these guidelines which will ensure a standardisation in the care of patients with this rare cancer. I extend congratulations to team involved in their development, and I thank them for their commitment to driving improvements in surgical care for the benefit of patients.”

The National Clinical Programme in Surgery is a strategic initiative between the HSE and RCSI. The programme aims to design and implement change initiatives which improve and standardise the quality of care and access for all patients in a cost-effective manner. The programme works closely with other National Clinical and Care Programmes under the governance of the HSE CCO to ensure integration across multiple areas of care.