Glossary
BIA-ALCL:
this stands for Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. This is a rare type of Lymphoma that can appear in the skin, in the lymph nodes, or in organs throughout the body. There is a very small risk of developing ALCL (as high as 1/2,200 as of August 2019) among women who received textured implant breast reconstruction.
BIA-SCC:
this stands for Breast Implant-Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma. This a rare type of squamous cell carcinoma that arises from the capsule(layer) of scar tissue that surrounds the breast implant. This type of carcinoma can appear in the skin, in the lymph nodes, or in organs throughout the body and present with breast pain and enlargement. There is an even small risk of developing SCC (as high as 1/164,910 ) among individuals with breast implants regardless of texture.
Bilateral:
both sides
Breast Forms:
breast-shaped pieces of silicone or other material.
Breast Implant:
inserted under the skin or under the chest muscle during surgery.
Breast Reconstruction:
a surgery that can rebuild the shape and look of your breast after it is removed.
Chemotherapy:
a cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill or slow cancer cells in the body.
Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) Flap:
Deep inferior epigastric perforator flap – this is when your surgeon moves fat and skin from your belly but does not remove muscle from your belly.
Delayed Breast Reconstruction:
breast reconstruction surgery that happens months or years after your breast is removed
Drains:
these are tubes that are placed in the body, including the breast and other surgical sites to remove excess fluid. They usually remove bloody within hours and days of surgery. The fluid then becomes less bloody and usually looks clearer the further out you are from surgery. Drains can stay in for days to weeks after removal of the breast reconstruction surgery.
Hernia:
a bulging of an organ or tissue through an opening in the muscle of the belly.
Immediate Breast Reconstruction:
reconstruction at the same time as when your breast is removed.
Incision:
where the surgeon makes a cut to do the reconstruction surgery.
Latissimus Dorsi Flap:
This is when your surgeon moves muscle, fat, skin, and blood vessels from your upper back. It is usually combined with an implant or tissue expander.
Lumpectomy:
a surgical process that removes the tumor and surrounding breast tissue to treat breast cancer.
Mastectomy:
a surgical process that removes the breast tissue to treat or prevent breast cancer.
Radiation Treatment:
this a type of treatment that uses high-energy X-rays, protons or other particles to reduce the risk that the cancer will come back.
Risk Factors:
things about a persons’ health or health history that can increase their chances of health problems.
Saline:
a saltwater solution.
Silicone Gel:
a type of silicone that is a thick fluid.
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA):
a law that says breast reconstruction after mastectomy must be covered by insurance.
Tissue Expander:
a balloon-like device that will stretch your skin and/or muscles to make room for your breast implant.
Tissue Flap:
reconstruction that uses parts of your body, such as skin, muscle, and fat, to rebuild your breast shape.
Transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap:
this is when your surgeon moves the skin, fat, blood vessels, and most of 1 muscle from your belly.
Unilateral:
one side