Follicular Lymphoma of Breast: a Case Report from Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction: Breast Lymphoma (BL) is a rare breast tumor and accounts for less than 1% of all breast malignancies. It is further categorized into primary breast lymphoma and secondary breast lymphoma. This manuscript presents a case report of a patient diagnosed with secondary breast lymphoma. Case description: A 51-year-old female presented in the one-stop breast clinic with six months history of having a static, painless left breast lump. Mass was firm, non-tender, and 2 cm in size. It was not adherent to skin or muscle, and it was present in the upper outer quadrant of the left breast. Mammo-sonography revealed a circumscribed mass of 17 mm in the outer quadrant of the left breast. There were enlarged ipsilateral lymph nodes. Core biopsy suggested atypical lymphoid infiltrates. She underwent wide local excision of breast and axillary nodal mass. The definitive histological diagnosis revealed a follicular lymphoma (FL) grade 2/3, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Staging computed tomography scan features were suggestive of cervical lymphadenopathy. Hence, staging workup proved this to be a case of secondary breast lymphoma. Practical implication: The early diagnosis of breast lymphoma is highly relevant. Its diagnosis is challenging due to non-specific clinical presentation and imaging features. Commonly FL is diagnosed on excisional biopsy or after wide local breast mass excision. Primary and secondary lymphomas, though rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of breast malignancies.