Primary Breast Natural Killer/T-cell lymphoma with Cutaneous Involvement: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma, accounting for less than 1% of cases.
• ENKTL is geographically prevalent in East Asia and Central/South America, contrasting with its rarity in Western countries.
• Key pathological hallmarks of ENKTL include angiocentricity/angioinvasion and significant tissue necrosis.

Observation:

• A rare case of primary breast extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma is presented in a 72-year-old woman.
• The patient exhibited a painless right breast tumor with specific ultrasonographic features (uneven internal echo, strip blood flow signal).
• Despite surgical resection and CHOP chemotherapy, the patient succumbed to lymphoma and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome 27 months post-diagnosis.

Findings:

• Primary breast ENKTL represents an exceptionally rare clinical presentation.
• Ultrasonographic diagnosis of breast ENKTL poses challenges, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.
• Post-biopsy pathological examination is paramount for accurate diagnosis of this rare lymphoma.

Implications:

• This case underscores the rarity and diagnostic challenges associated with primary breast ENKTL.
• Emphasizes the critical role of histopathological confirmation in diagnosing extranodal lymphomas, especially in unusual primary sites.
• Highlights the aggressive nature of ENKTL and the need for vigilant diagnostic approaches.