Primary lymphoma of the breast: a clinicopathological study.

ABSTRACT

3 cases of primary non Hodgkins lymphoma of the breast are described, seen over a period of 2 years among 199 cases of breast malignancies. All were diffuse large B cell type. Application of immunohistochemistry greatly aids in differentiating lymphoma from anaplastic carcinoma, with which it can easily be confused. Preoperative diagnosis on a trucut biopsy is an ideal diagnostic method since diagnosis on fine needle aspiration cytology or frozen section may not be possible. Primary breast lymphoma is a rare disease with reported incidence of 0.04-0.53% of all breast malignancies in most series. Accurate diagnosis is essential, so that appropriate treatment may be applied. Two cases were treated with CHOP chemotherapy and radiotherapy along with surgical excision. One case was treated with CHOP chemotherapy.