Primary lymphoproliferative disorders of the breast

Primary breast lymphoproliferative disorders are rare lesions and include both the malignant lymphomas and the benign pseudolymphomas. We reviewed 4,491 consecutive cases of breast cancer diagnosed and treated between 1973 and 1988. Patients with lymphoma in other sites and those with lymphomas limited to axillary nodes were excluded. RESULTS. Five patients (0.11%) presented with primary lymphoreticular lesions, of which three were primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and two were pseudolymphomas. Patients were followed clinically through to the present time or until death occurred. Surgical procedures included incisional or excisional biopsy in four patients and modified radical mastectomy in one. Two patients received chemo-therapy and one received radiotherapy. One patient with pseudolymphoma subsequently developed infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the same breast. Three patients with primary breast non-Hodgkin's lymphoma died within the follow-up period, with a mean survival of 33 months. CONCLUSIONS. We conclude that primary breast lymphoma is a rare and aggressive breast malignancy with a poor prognosis despite different treatment options.