Primary breast lymphoma: long-term treatment outcome and prognosis

Between 1980 and 2002, 32 cases diagnosed as primary breast lymphoma were reviewed. Among them, 18 patients were stage I and 14 were stage II. Four patients underwent mastectomy and the remainder underwent lumpectomy. Twenty-eight patients received postoperative chemotherapy and 20 patients received postoperative radiotherapy. After a median follow-up of 76 (range 25 - 245) months, the 5-year overall survival and relapse-free survival was 69.3% and 47.7%, respectively. Ann Arbor stage, International Prognostic Index (IPI) excluding stage, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and radiotherapy were significant factors for relapse-free survival. We conclude that younger age and elevated LDH were apparent characters of the patients in our study. IPI excluding stage was a valuable prognostic factor. Combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy appeared to be important for treatment.