The TGA says it is continuing to monitor an association between anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and breast implants.

In a safety update the regulatory body said it still supported the advice given in a statement it published in 2011 that concluded the risk of a patient developing the lymphoma was “very low”.

It has received 23 reports of breast implant-associated ALCL since 2011.

The current statement advises clinicians to be aware of the link and consider the possibility of ALCL in patients with late onset, persistent seroma, capsular contracture or masses adjacent to the breast implant.

“When ALCL is suspected or when testing for ALCL, consult an anatomical pathologist for appropriate further analysis to establish this diagnosis, which may include cytological examination of seroma fluid and immunohistochemistry testing” the statement advised.

Any suspected and confirmed cases of ALCL in women with breast implants should be reported to the TGA.