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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
05:44
Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema
Published on: January 12, 2017
Lymphoma of the breast
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.
Radiologic Clinics of North America
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Mammograms of lymphoreticular diseases in the breast often show well-defined masses. These lymphomatous breast masses lack typical cancer signs, complicating diagnosis without prior knowledge of lymphoma.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Lymphoreticular diseases can affect the breast, presenting diagnostic challenges.
- Mammographic findings in breast lymphoma are not widely characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mammographic findings in patients with lymphoreticular disease of the breast.
- To describe the typical appearance of breast lymphoma on mammograms.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of mammograms from 25 women and 6 men with diagnosed lymphoreticular disease of the breast.
- Analysis of lesion characteristics including size, definition, calcifications, and secondary changes.
Main Results:
- Lymphomatous involvement of the breast characteristically forms relatively circumscribed masses (2-9 cm).
- These masses typically lack tumor calcifications, surrounding distortion, or skin retraction seen in breast carcinomas.
- Nonspecific appearance can hinder diagnosis, especially without axillary lymphadenopathy or known lymphoma.
Conclusions:
- Breast lymphoma often presents as circumscribed masses on mammography.
- The absence of specific malignant features can lead to misdiagnosis.
- Radiologists should consider lymphoma in the differential diagnosis of breast masses with these characteristics.
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