LAUSR

T is nothing more deceptive than obvious facts, and I would like to highlight some important aspects of this article that further define what we know about breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). The biggest issue we have struggled with over the past 6 to 7 years is defining the exact risk of this disorder. The number of worldwide implants has continually been frequently misquoted as 7 to 9 million implants, and calculations are naturally distorted based on this misnomer. Recent analysis has found that there are probably over 35 million patients with breast implants worldwide, and 60 to 70 million implants globally.1 One of the most important contributions of this article is that it has a proven numerator and denominator when calculating risk. The authors should be congratulated for their diligence in tracking cases and obtaining sales data, which is likely the most accurate method of determining the actual numbers of breast implants implanted. The reader should be clear these data apply uniquely to the Australian and New Zealand geographic location with regard to population; however, despite the geographic specifics of the data, the important concepts presented apply to all patients (and surgeons) globally. The concept detailed by the authors of the unification theory of breast implant–associated BIAALCL is a good one. It consists of the following: