Primary Breast Lymphoma: A Rare Entity

Abstract

In the past two decades there has been an increase in the incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin disease. This has been accompanied by an increase in the numbers of extranodal lymphoma. Despite this primary breast lymphoma is a rare disease. We present a case of a 74 year old female with primary breast lymphoma. Methods of imaging including PET/CT are discussed. Criteria for diagnosing primary breast lymphoma are presented. In addition diagnostic methods and therapeutic options are considered.

Primary breast lymphoma: A mimic of inflammatory breast cancer

“…The majority of patients with PBL are women; however, there are a few rare reports in males [ 17 ]. These gender differences suggest that sex hormones may be important in pathogenesis [ 12 ].…”

Rare breast tumors: Review of the literature

“…It accounts for less than 0.5% of all malignant lymphomas. 54 B-cell lymphoma is more frequently observed than T-cell lymphoma in the breast. Histologies like, follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or extranodal marginal zone (MALT) lymphoma occur less commonly.…”

“…55 The usual clinical feature of breast lymphoma is a rapidly expanding, painless mass. 54 The differentiation between primary and secondary lymphoma is difficult, and some criteria are used to determine the primary localization of breast lymphoma:…”

“…Radiotherapy can be used to provide local control or may be adjuvant to chemotherapy. 54 Clinical series show that overall 5-year survival of 53%. Factors influencing a better prognosis are: early stage, conservative surgery, radiotherapy, and combined modality.…”

Diagnosis Error: Carcinoma or Primary Breast Lymphoma? A Case Report and Literature Review

“…PBL is a rare disease, accounting for only 0.4% -0.5% of all breast malignancies, 0.38% -0.7% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), and 1.7% -2.2% of extranodal NHL [2,3]. Despite the clinical and radiographic similarities between breast lymphoma and carcinoma, the prognosis, as reported in the literature, varies, as do the applied treatment modalities, which include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy used alone or in combination.…”