Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma of the Breast: Clinical and Radiologic Presentations

Abstract

: We reviewed the clinical presentations, radiologic findings, and histopathologic findings in 18 women with 21 non-Hodgkin lymphomas involving the breast. Eight patients had primary breast lymphoma, 10 had secondary involvement. Three had bilateral lesions. Thirteen lymphomas (62%) presented as palpable breast masses, and one (5%) as a palpable axillary mass with ipsilateral breast peau ďorange. Seven (33%) were clinically occult and detected on routine mammography. Masses ranged from well-circumscribed to ill-defined mammographically, and were all hypoechoic at sonography. Histopathologic diagnoses included diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in six patients (33%), follicle center lymphoma in five patients (28%), small lymphocytic lymphoma in three patients (17%), nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma in two patients (11%), high-grade B-cell, Burkitt-like lymphoma in one patient (5.5%), and Burkitt's lymphoma in one patient (5.5%). The radiologic appearance of breast lymphoma is nonspecific, possessing no pathognomonic or distinguishing features. No correlation was noted between radiologic appearance and histopathologic subtype.?