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Published on: May 17, 2024
Primary breast lymphoma with sudden death.
Luisa Florez1, Carolina Gutierrez, Kathy Haden-Pinneri
1Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. luisa.florez@ifs.hctx.net
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|April 23, 2011
Summary
Primary T-cell lymphoma of the breast is rare. In a sudden death case, autopsy revealed breast T-cell lymphoma infiltrating the heart, leading to fatal atrioventricular node and myocardial damage.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Primary breast lymphoma is a rare extranodal lymphoma, with B-cell types being most common.
- T-cell lymphomas of the breast are exceptionally rare, accounting for only 3% of cases.
Observation:
- A 49-year-old woman presented with sudden death.
- Autopsy examination was performed to determine the cause of death.
Findings:
- Autopsy revealed a primary T-cell lymphoma originating in the breast.
- The lymphoma extensively infiltrated the heart, specifically the atrioventricular node.
- Transmural myocardial permeation with focal necrosis was observed, indicating severe cardiac damage.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for primary breast T-cell lymphoma to cause sudden cardiac death.
- It underscores the importance of considering extranodal lymphoma in unexplained cardiac events.
- The findings emphasize the aggressive nature and potential systemic impact of rare T-cell lymphomas.