High frequency of MALT lymphoma in a series of 14 cases of primary breast lymphoma.

Abstract

This article reports the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical findings of 14 cases fulfilling the criteria of Wiseman and Liao for primary lymphoma of the breast (PBL), with emphasis on the frequency of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. The tumors were reclassified according to the revised European-American classification of lymphoid neoplasms. Immunohistochemistry was used to assist in the classification and subtyping of PBL, to demonstrate lymphoepithelial lesions (LEL), and to assess estrogen/progesterone receptor expression. Nine tumors were classified as MALT lymphomas (seven low grade and two high grade), four as diffuse large cell lymphomas and one as follicle center lymphoma. Extensive lymphoid cell infiltration of mammary ducts and acini was also found in non-MALT lymphoma cases. None of the 14 cases expressed hormonal receptors. Primary lymphoma of the breast is a rare and morphologically heterogeneous entity. There is similarity on the clinicopathologic overall profile of the current series of patients and those previously reported, but we recorded a higher incidence of MALT lymphoma (64.3%). Immunohistochemistry is mandatory to identify "true" LEL because epithelial permeation by lymphoid cells can also be found in non MALT-type lymphomas.