Clinical analysis of 49 patients with primary breast lymphoma

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the diagnosis and treatment of primary breast lymphoma(PBL).Methods Clinical data of 49 PBL cases diagnosed in our center from 1997 to 2011 was retrospectively analyzed.Results 1 case was male,48 cases were female.Most patients were at the age of 35-55 years.Painless mass was the most common symptom which was most often seen on the upper-outer quadrant of the right breast,accounting for 61.11％ in this group.Preoperative misdiagnosis rate was high by mammography,B ultrasonic and hollow needle pathologic examination.Final diagnosis could only made by postoperative histopathologic examination.In this group 1 case was Hodgkin lymphoma and 48 cases were non-Hodgkin lymphoma(NHL) originating from B cells.46 patients underwent surgery and chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy in 16 cases.Median time of follow up was 40 months,5-year overall and disease free survival was 48％ and 28％ respectively,and bone marrow was the most common metastatic organ.Conclusions The prognosis of PBL is poor.The image diagnosis lacks specificity.Paraffin sections and immunohistochemistry were the main means to make a definite diagnosis.Chemotherapy-based comprehensive treatment is the strategy in the management of PBL instead of radical mastectomy. Key words: Breast neoplasms ; Lymphoma; Diagnosis ; Prognosis