Treatment and Outcomes of Primary Breast Lymphoma

Primary Breast Lymphoma: A Case Report of a Common Tumor in an Uncommon Location

Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) is a rare malignant lymphoid neoplasm limited to the breast, accounting for about 0.15% of all malignant breast tumors and 1.7% to 2.2% of extra-nodal lymphomas. PBL must be distinguished from conventional breast carcinomas due to different therapeutic approaches. A 25-year-old female presented with a left breast mass. Histopathology and immunohistochemical tests confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). She had no similar lesions elsewhere in the body. She received 1 cycle of R-CHOP chemotherapy but absconded from the treatment and succumbed afterward while at home. Recent developments in DLBCL treatment have greatly improved patient outcomes by incorporating targeted medicines like rituximab, increased chemotherapy regimens, new drugs, and individualized treatment techniques. PBL appears to have a worse prognosis; thus, delay or abscondment from treatment is of serious concern when it comes to improving the prognosis of patients with PBL.

Primary breast lymphoma: a case series and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) is a very rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), defined as a malignant primary lymphoma occurring in the breast in the absence of previously detected lymphoma localizations. Our study aims to retrospectively evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, and imaging findings and therapeutic features of breast lymphomas in patients with primary lymphoma of the breast.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study including 13 patients with primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the breast treated at the Salah Azaiez Institute of Oncology from 2000 to 2019. This sample includes 1 case of follicular lymphoma, 2 cases of large T-cell lymphoma, and 10 cases of large B-cell lymphoma.

RESULTS

Patients included in the study were aged between 17 and 89 years (average age of 52.6 years). All patients were referred because of a lump in the breast, and only one patient consulted with inflammatory signs in the breast. The average clinical size of the tumor was 7.2 cm, with a maximum of 15 cm. Mammography showed an oval mass with circumscribed margins in the majority of cases. Ultrasound showed in most cases a hypoechoic irregular mass or multilobulated mass with irregular margins and hypervascular on color Doppler. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on only three patients and showed a spiculated lesion with polycyclic limits. Eight patients underwent surgery. In our study breast lymphomas involved 10 cases of large B-cell lymphoma, one case of follicular lymphoma, and two cases of large T-cell lymphoma. In this series, 11 patients had localized stages (I + II) at diagnosis, and 2 patients had disseminated stages (stage III) of primary breast lymphoma. Seven patients underwent chemotherapy treatment alone, and five had chemotherapy with radiotherapy. The median follow-up of our patients was 53 months, ranging from 1 to 177 months. Overall survival was 71% at 3 years and 51% at 5 years.

CONCLUSION

Primary breast lymphoma is an uncommon type of breast malignancy. The optimal treatment modality is still in question because of the rarity of this disease. However, the use of combination therapy produces the most favorable results. Surgery is not yet recommended.

Clinicopathological characteristics, local treatment, and prognostic factors in IE/IIE primary breast lymphoma: a retrospective study of 67 patients

INTRODUCTION

Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) is a rare disease, treatment of which excerpts does not reach a consensus. This retrospective study was conducted to analyze clinical features and survival outcomes of different therapeutic methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Records of 67 patients with stage IE/IIE primary breast lymphoma were reviewed from the medical record system. Survival information was gathered by searching the outpatient system. Clinicopathological characteristics were compared by chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests. A comparison of survival curves was performed by log-rank tests. The Cox proportional hazard model was applied for multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

At the median follow-up time of 65.23 months (range, 9-150 months), there were 27 (40.3%) relapses, 28 (41.8%) distant metastases, and 21 (31.3%) deaths. The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 52.1% and 72.4%. Pathological types (DLBCL vs. non-DLBCL, p = 0.001) and rituximab use (p < 0.001) were statistically associated with longer PFS in patients with PBL. Nodal sites involved and radiotherapy administration were significant predictors for 5-year OS. Multivariate analysis suggested that nodal sites involved (p = 0.005) and radiotherapy administration (p < 0.003) were independent prognostic factors for OS in patients with PBL (p < 0.05). Radical surgery was not an independent factor for patients with PBL.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiotherapy improved the survival of patients with PBL. Radical mastectomy offered no additional benefit in the treatment of PBL.

Primary breast lymphoma in males: Incidence, demographics, prognostic factors, survival, and comparisons with females

Background

Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) is a rare disease condition and is mainly observed in females. No male PBL cohorts were reported previously. This study aims to investigate the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and survival outcomes among male PBL patients and also to perform comparisons between males and females.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with PBL between 2000 and 2019 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were identified. Age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated by year and age for trend analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox hazard proportional regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors. Survival comparisons were conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method and the log-rank test. The propensity matching score (PSM) method was used to balance demographics.

Results

The incidence rate of 122 male PBL patients diagnosed in the period of 2000 to 2019 was 0.169 (95% CI: 0.140–2.203) per million persons, which was much lower than that of 2,543 females (1.59, 95% CI: 1.53–1.65). Clinical demographics were similar between females and males, except for lymphoma subtype distribution (P = 0.025). A higher age [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.05–1.12, P < 0.001] and not receiving radiotherapy (receiving vs. not receiving: HR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.21–0.78, P = 0.007) were significant risk factors associated with overall survival (OS) in males. Radiotherapy (OS: P = 0.023) can offer benefits in OS. Using the PSM method, we also revealed that male PBL patients had significantly worse OS and cancer-specific survival rates than females.

Conclusions

This study first analyzed male patients with PBL involving incidence, clinical characteristics, and survival data. Sex disparity was also observed in the survival outcome of the disease.

Genomic Mutation Landscape of Primary Breast Lymphoma: Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis

Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) with rapid progression and high risk of central nervous system metastasis. We have investigated 40 PBL patients retrospectively, and 16 of them were sequenced by a target panel of 112 genes related with lymphoma. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) identified 203 mutations spanning 35 genes and revealed seven potential protein-changing genes (PIM1, MYD88, DTX1, CD79B, KMT2D, TNFAIP3, and ITPKB) with high frequency, referring crucial roles in lymphomagenesis. Our result suggested that PIM1 mutation is correlated with the age and pathological type of PBL patients. Gene TNFAIP3 and KMT2D mutation is only related to the pathological type and primary site, respectively. These high-mutant genes detected in PBL indicated a tendency to shorten overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), which may lead to poor prognosis. Furthermore, the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway and related regulatory factors are essential for the development of targeted therapy as well.

Coexistence of primary central nervous system lymphoma and primary breast lymphoma: Clinical presentation, imaging features, and treatment management

The presence of synchronous dual hematological diseases is an uncommon finding. We report an unusual case of coexistence of primary central nervous system lymphoma and primary breast lymphoma without systemic involvement in an immunocompetent patient. To our knowledge a similar case has not yet been reported in the literature. We especially focus on presenting the imaging features, the associated clinical findings and treatment management of each entity, with the aim of raising awareness on these two rare types of lymphomas and the possibility of their coexistence.

Primary breast CD20-positive extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma with stomach involvement: a case report and literature review

Background

We present a unique case of primary breast CD20-positive extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma with stomach involvement in a young Chinese female patient.

Case presentation

The patient presented with a mass in her right breast that rapidly increased in size over approximately 2 months. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a giant serpentine ulcer in the stomach. Biopsy was performed, and microscopic inspection revealed that the fibrous tissue was diffusely involved by medium to large abnormal lymphocytes. The cytoplasm was low to moderate. The tumor cells had irregular nuclei and inconspicuous nucleoli. The lymphoid cells were strongly immunoreactive to CD20, CD3, CD4, CD56, TIA-1, EBER, and Ki-67 (90%). Epstein-Barr virus genomes were also found in tumor cells by in situ hybridization. A whole-body positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scan revealed intense FDG uptake in the right breast and greater curvature of the stomach. Monoclonal rearrangements of the T cell receptor (TCR-γ) and immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) were identified by genetic analysis. Whole-genome next-generation sequencing was performed, and up to 12 gene mutations, including a frameshift mutation in exon 4 of the BCOR (G97Rfs*87; 44.3%) gene and a base substitution mutation (Q61H 17.6%) in exon 3 of the KRAS gene, were detected. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were performed using the database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery, which showed that rare primary breast CD20-positive extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma had a unique genetic background compared with diffuse large B cell lymphoma and extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma without CD20 expression. The patient received four cycles of the modified SMILE regimen. The second whole-body PET-CT scan revealed that the right breast mass was significantly smaller than before; additionally, FDG uptake in the stomach wall disappeared.

Conclusions

Systemic examination, extensive immunohistochemistry, and molecular profiling are essential for an accurate diagnosis. More similar cases are required to clarify the biological pathways and even the potential molecular mechanisms of rare lymphomas, which may help direct further treatment.

Epidemiological features of primary breast lymphoma patients and development of a nomogram to predict survival

BACKGROUND

Studies on the epidemiology and prognosis of primary breast lymphoma (PBL) are lack for low incidence. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of PBL and develop nomograms to predict patient survival.

METHODS

Data of patients who were diagnosed with PBL from 1975 to 2011 and incidence rate of PBL from 1975 to 2017 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Time-varying multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Nomograms were constructed based on the independent prognostic factors identified in multivariate Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1427 patients diagnosed with PBL were identified with the average age of 67.1 years. The overall incidence of PBL is 1.35/1,000,000 (adjusted to the United States standard population in 2000) from 1975 to 2017, with a significant upward trend by an annual percentage change (APC) of 2.91 (95%CI 2.29-3.94, P < 0.05). Age, sex, race, year of diagnosis, marital status, histological subtype, Ann Arbor Stage, and treatment modality were assessed as independent prognostic factors for OS and DSS by multivariable Cox regression (P < 0.05). Nomograms were constructed to predict the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10- year OS and DSS. The concordance index (C-index) and calibration plots showed robustness and accuracy of the nomogram.

CONCLUSION

The overall incidence of PBL was steadily increasing over the past four decades. Nomograms constructed can predicting 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year OS and identify patients with high-risk PBL.

Primary lymphoma of the breast: A report of two cases

Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) should be distinguished from secondary breast lymphoma arising in the setting of lymphoma elsewhere in the body. Multimodality imaging is key to diagnosing PBL, and imaging manifestations thereof may indicate PBL and alter the treatment course. Treatment options including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or surgery depend on histology. We report two cases of PBL, illustrating the transformative impact that multimodality imaging may have on clinical management.

Primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report and review of the literature

RATIONALE

Pilot studies have reported that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) appear more likely to develop into neoplasia, especially lymphatic hyperplasia diseases. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of the concomitant onset of SLE and primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PB-DLBCL).

PATIENT CONCERNS

We reported an unusual case of the occurrence of primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a 25-year-old female patient who had been diagnosed with SLE and treated with immunosuppressive drugs for about 4 years. She presented a 7-week history of a painless mass above the left breast and no history suggestive of any nipple discharge, fever, and weight loss.

DIAGNOSIS

Ultrasonography of the breast showed that there was 1 mass in the left breast. After breast mass surgical resection, histopathological examinations were performed and revealed that it was primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

INTERVENTIONS

Treatment strategy with vincristine and dexamethasone was used to improve symptoms. However, the patient's renal function deteriorated and the blood potassium rose continuously and she and their family members refused the follow-up treatments.

OUTCOMES

The patient died 8 months after she was discharged from the hospital.

LESSONS

PB-DLBCL is a rare occurrence in SLE patients. Therefore, a careful examination is very important in SLE cohort, as activity of the disease and malignancy may mimic each other. Meanwhile, when symptoms cannot be explained or insensitive to treatment, the occurrence of malignant tumors must be highly considered.

Clinicopathological Features, Treatment, and Prognosis in Primary Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma of the Breast: A Retrospective Study of 46 Patients

BACKGROUND Primary lymphoma of the breast is rare, and primary diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the breast is very rare. This study aimed to identify the clinicopathological characteristics and treatment associated with prognosis in patients with primary DLBCL of the breast. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective study included the clinical and treatment data from 46 women with a histological diagnosis of primary DLBCL. Patients were staged using Ann Arbor staging criteria, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and the international prognostic index (IPI) scores were obtained. Laboratory finding included serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and the immunohistochemistry findings were recorded. RESULTS Patients (n=46), included stage I (n=18), stage II (n=18), stage III (n=3), and stage IV DLBCL (n=9). Treatment included chemotherapy with rituximab (n=16), and radiotherapy (n=12). The median follow-up time was 40.5 months, the 5-year OS rate was 36.2%, and the 5-year PFS rate was 29.1%. Univariate analysis showed that clinical stage, serum LDH, the IPI score, chemotherapy cycles >3, and Bcl-2 and Bcl-6 expression were correlated with the 5-year OS and PFS. Multivariate risk regression analysis showed that the number of chemotherapy cycles (>3) and Bcl-6 expression were independent prognostic factors in primary DLBCL of the breast (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS A retrospective study of 46 patients with primary DLBCL of the breast showed that >3 cycles of chemotherapy and expression of Bcl-6 resulted in improved OS and PFS. Radiotherapy controlled local tumor recurrence but did not improve the OS and PFS. Rituximab did not improve patient survival.

Primary and Secondary Breast Lymphoma: Focus on Epidemiology and Imaging Features

Aim of this study was to select all the cases of Primary (PBL) and Secondary (SBL) Breast Lymphoma from our breast unit since 01/01/2000, to obtain up-to-date data on the prevalence of this rare pathology and to analyze imaging features, with a special focus on CT. All pathological reports of breast biopsies performed from 01/01/2000 to 01/01/2019 were at first screened. Among them, we performed two different researches, looking for key words suggesting either a diagnosis of lymphoma or any other malignant disease. Using the Wiseman criteria, we identify PBL and SBL. All imaging features of PBL and SBL were analyzed. Prevalence of lymphoma amongst suspicious breast masses and amongst all breast malignancies were calculated. Out of 42,505 histopathology reports from mammary nodule biopsies, we found 19,354 malignancies. We were able to identify 11 patients affected by PBL (0,03% of suspicious breast lesions, 0.06% of breast malignancies), and 23 cases of SBL (0,05% of suspicious breast lesions, 0,12% of breast malignancies). Most common isotype in PBL was DLBC lymphoma, whereas in SBL that resulted Follicular lymphoma. In PBL group, we were able to retrieve images 7 CT or CT-PET study performed at diagnosis 7 US, 1 mammography and and 1 MR. In SBL group, we analyzed 14 CT/CT-PET examinations, 11 US studies and 3 mammography. PBL and SBL are rarer than considered until now. There is no definite imaging characteristic able to distinguish between these two pathologies and among them and breast cancer.

Emerging Treatment Strategies for Primary Breast Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma of Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue

INTRODUCTION

We report our experience in treating patients with primary breast extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) to better elucidate the natural history and optimal treatment approach for these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with localized primary breast MALT lymphoma treated between 1995 and 2016 were included. Disease-related endpoints including progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Eleven patients met inclusion criteria; all patients were women with a median age of 62 years (range, 42-75 years). Most (73%) patients presented with stage I disease, and most (73%) patients were treated initially treated with radiation therapy (RT). Local control following RT was 100%; all patients with progression following RT experienced distant relapse. Additionally, none of the 3 patients treated with ultra-low-dose RT (4 Gy) experienced subsequent progression (local or distant). Six (55%) patients progressed after initial therapy, of whom 5 received initial RT; the 5-year PFS after initial therapy was 60%. Salvage systemic therapy was utilized in all patients with progression, with 5 of 6 patients receiving single-agent rituximab. Of the patients treated with salvage therapy, only 1 experienced second relapse, with a 5-year PFS of 100% after salvage systemic therapy. With a median follow-up of 8 years, there were no deaths in the cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with primary breast MALT lymphoma achieve excellent outcomes. Initial RT affords local control, and although subsequent distant progression is common, salvage rituximab yields high rates of PFS.

Primary breast lymphoma: A single-centre experience

BACKGROUND

Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma is an extremely rare entity, and this condition represents less than 0.5% of all malignant lesions involving the mammary gland. As such, there has been a paucity of relevant clinical data arising from Southeast Asia.

AIMS

Our study aims to review the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, treatment, and survival outcomes of all patients diagnosed with primary breast lymphoma in our institution between 2011 and 2017.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients who had histologically proven lymphoma involving the breast were identified from a prospectively collected database in a single institution between 2011 and 2017. All seven patients were female, with a median age of 65 years old, and had presented with unilateral large breast or axillary masses. All the histological diagnosis was achieved with adequate tissue diagnosis either through core, incisional, or excisional biopsy. Five patients had diffuse large B cell lymphoma, one had marginal zone lymphoma, and the other had follicular lymphoma. Based on Ann Arbor classification, one patient had stage 1, three had stage 2, one with stage 3, and two patients with stage 4 disease. Five patients had received standard CHOP regimen with rituximab. At the time of analysis, patients who had nondisseminated disease had a median survival of 57 months. The overall mean survival time for all seven patients was 47 months. With the standard systemic chemotherapy treatment regimen, the estimated 3-year overall survival was found to be 64%.

CONCLUSION

Primary breast lymphoma, though uncommon, may present in a similar manner as breast carcinomas, but the main treatment modality remains nonsurgical with systemic chemotherapy. Hence, it is prudent to obtain accurate histological diagnosis of primary breast lymphoma. In this study, our patients with nondisseminated breast lymphoma have demonstrated a fairly good survival outcome following chemotherapy.

Primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: treatment strategies and patterns of failure<sup/>

Treatment strategies and outcomes were assessed in 25 patients with primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PB-DLBCL) treated between 1995 and 2016. We specifically investigated the timing of recurrence, and the roles of radiotherapy (RT) and central nervous system prophylaxis (CNS PPX). Fifty-two percent of patients received RT, and 28% received CNS PPX. Fourteen patients (56%) experienced recurrence, with 76% of relapses occurring ≥24 months after diagnosis, in contrast to reports supporting the use of 24-month event-free survival as a surrogate endpoint in the general DLBCL population. Use of RT was associated with a trend toward improved progression-free survival (PFS). Twenty percent of patients experienced CNS relapse, with no clear benefit to CNS PPX. These data emphasize the importance of long-term follow-up for PB-DLBCL patients, suggest a PFS benefit with the addition of RT, and highlight high rates of CNS relapse.

Radiological imaging characteristics of intramammary hematological malignancies: results from a german multicenter study

To assess radiological procedures and imaging characteristics in patients with intramammary hematological malignancies (IHM). Radiological imaging studies of histopathological proven IHM cases from ten German University affiliated breast imaging centers from 1997-2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Imaging modalities included ultrasound (US), mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Two radiologists blinded to the histopathological diagnoses independently assessed all imaging studies. Imaging studies of 101 patients with 204 intramammary lesions were included. Most patients were women (95%) with a median age of 64 years. IHM were classified as Non Hodgkin lymphoma (77.2%), plasmacytoma (11.9%), leukemia (9.9%), and Hodgkin lymphoma (1%). The mean lesion size was 15.8 ± 10.1 mm. Most IHM presented in mammography as lesions with comparable density to the surrounding tissue, and a round or irregular shape with indistinct margins. On US, most lesions were of irregular shape with complex echo pattern and indistinct margins. MRI shows lesions with irregular or spiculated margins and miscellaneous enhancement patterns. Using US or MRI, IHM were more frequently classified as BI-RADS 4 or 5 than using mammography (96.2% and 89.3% versus 75.3%). IHM can present with miscellaneous radiological patterns. Sensitivity for detection of IHM lesions was higher in US and MRI than in mammography.

Primary Breast Lymphoma in the United States: 1975-2013

Background

Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) has gained attention with the description of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). Less is known about PBL incidence, treatment, and survival by lymphoma subtype.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry database was queried for patients with PBL as first malignancy, with attention to non-Hodgkin Lymphoma PBL subtypes: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), and ALCL. Incidence was estimated by age and subtype with joinpoint analyses, along with initial local therapy. Five-year relative and overall survival estimates were compared using z and two-sided log-rank tests.

Results

PBL incidence (per 1 000 000 women) increased from 0.66 (1975-1977) to 2.96 (2011-2013) with an annual percentage change (APC) of 5.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.8% to 6.9%, P <  .001) from 1975 to 1999 and no statistically significant change thereafter. Incidence continues to increase for women younger than age 50 years (APC = 2.8%, 95% CI = 1.0% to 4.6%, P = .003) and for ALCL-PBL (APC = 11.8%, 95% CI = 0.2% to 24.9%, P =  .047) and MZL-PBL (APC = 2.3%, 95% CI = -0.2% to 4.9%, P =  .07), with the latter increasing significantly from 1995 to 2013 (APC = 7.5%, 95% CI = 3.4% to 11.8%, P =  .001). Surgery and surgery with radiation declined from 2000 to 2013 as initial local therapy for PBL. Five-year relative survival for PBL improved markedly over four decades and was superior for stage I DLBCL-PBL and stage I follicular PBL than for corresponding systemic presentations.

Conclusions

PBL has increased in incidence over the last four decades and continues to increase for younger women and for some subtypes. The rise in imaging and procedures to the breast might enhance diagnostic sensitivity for PBL. Further study of the etiologies of PBL is needed.

Primary breast lymphoma: A single center study

The aim of the present study was to summarize the clinical characteristics of primary breast lymphoma (PBL) and evaluate its management approaches. A total of 29 patients newly diagnosed with PBL, and treated between April 2006 and May 2013, were analyzed retrospectively. The median survival follow-up time for all patients was 66.8 (range, 25.4-110.0) months. The results of the follow-up revealed 22 living lymphoma-free patients and 7 patients who had succumbed to PBL. Of the 7 deceased patients, 6 had succumbed to lymphoma and 1 to chemotherapy-associated hepatic failure. In total, 1 patient who presented with bilateral breast lymphoma developed left breast relapse following lumpectomy and chemotherapy, 2 patients developed a bone marrow relapse, 1 patient developed lung and mediastinal lymph node relapses, and 1 patient developed a skin relapse. The Kaplan-Meier estimator predicted 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates for all patients of 74.4 and 74.6%, respectively. PBL appears to be a rare disease with a good overall prognosis and low incidence of local relapse, following chemotherapy alone or in combination with other treatments. Further studies investigating the development of effective agents for use in treatment-resistant patients are required.

Primary Breast Lymphoma: Analysis of 55 Cases of the Spanish Lymphoma Oncology Group

INTRODUCTION

Primary breast lymphoma is a rare form of localized extranodal lymphoma, which affects the mammary glands unilaterally or bilaterally, and can also affect the regional lymph nodes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed 55 patients, with disease stages IE and IIE, diagnosed in 16 Spanish institutions between 1989 and 2016. A serial of clinical variables and treatment were collected, and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated.

RESULTS

Of the 55 patients, 96.4% were women with an average age of 69 years. A total of 53 patients corresponded to non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), of whom 36.3% had lymph node involvement upon diagnosis. Of the patients, 58.2% were stage IE, and 41.8% were stage IIE. Treatments received included radiotherapy (36.3%), chemotherapy (85.5%), and rituximab (in 38 of the 45 patients with NHL treated with chemotherapy). In all, 82.2% of complete responses were achieved. OS and progression-free survival at 5 years in NHL patients was 76% and 73%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Current treatments (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy) achieve good control of the disease, with an OS of 5 years in 80% of the patients, although there is no consensus in treatment, given the scarce incidence of these lymphomas.

[Clinical and prognostic analysis of 21 cases of primary breast lymphoma]

目的

探讨原发性乳腺淋巴瘤（PBL）患者临床特征及治疗方法对预后的影响。

方法

对2003年至2013年所收治的21例PBL患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。根据治疗方案的不同对患者进行分层分析，比较手术、预防性腰穿鞘注、利妥昔单抗应用对患者疗效和预后的影响。

结果

21例患者中6例行乳腺肿块穿刺活检术，2例行乳腺癌改良根治术，其余均行单纯乳腺肿块切除术后经病理学检查明确诊断。其中弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤（DLBCL) 17例，黏膜相关淋巴组织结外边缘区B细胞淋巴瘤（MALT淋巴瘤）、滤泡性淋巴瘤、Burkitt淋巴瘤、皮下脂膜炎样T细胞淋巴瘤各1例。所有患者中仅1例肿块直径>7 cm (MALT淋巴瘤患者），其余均<5 cm。治疗后完全缓解（CR)19例，部分缓解和疾病进展各1例。中位随访14(6~75)个月，21例患者中1例死亡，3年总生存（OS)率为92.3%。化疗+手术组(15例）患者的无进展生存（PFS)时间较单纯化疗组（6例）延长，差异有统计学意义（60个月对22个月，P=0.015），但两组患者的CR率和OS时间差异无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）。20例CD20阳性患者中接受利妥昔单抗治疗者17例，与未接受的3例比较，CR率和PFS、OS时间差异均无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）。8例患者接受预防性腰穿鞘注治疗，与13例未接受者比较，中枢神经系统浸润发生率差异无统计学意义(P=0.381)。

结论

PBL以DLBCL多见，治疗效果较好，手术治疗仅为明确诊断，并不延长患者OS时间。PBL患者行预防性腰穿鞘注治疗不降低中枢神经系统浸润发生率。

Modern radiation therapy for extranodal lymphomas: field and dose guidelines from the International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group

Extranodal lymphomas (ENLs) comprise about a third of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). Radiation therapy (RT) is frequently used as either primary therapy (particularly for indolent ENL), consolidation after systemic therapy, salvage treatment, or palliation. The wide range of presentations of ENL, involving any organ in the body and the spectrum of histological sub-types, poses a challenge both for routine clinical care and for the conduct of prospective and retrospective studies. This has led to uncertainty and lack of consistency in RT approaches between centers and clinicians. Thus far there is a lack of guidelines for the use of RT in the management of ENL. This report presents an effort by the International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group (ILROG) to harmonize and standardize the principles of treatment of ENL, and to address the technical challenges of simulation, volume definition and treatment planning for the most frequently involved organs. Specifically, detailed recommendations for RT volumes are provided. We have applied the same modern principles of involved site radiation therapy as previously developed and published as guidelines for Hodgkin lymphoma and nodal NHL. We have adopted RT volume definitions based on the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU), as has been widely adopted by the field of radiation oncology for solid tumors. Organ-specific recommendations take into account histological subtype, anatomy, the treatment intent, and other treatment modalities that may be have been used before RT.

Clinicopathological features of thirty patients with primary breast lymphoma and review of the literature

Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) is a rare disease accounting for 0.4-0.5 % of all breast malignancies. Accumulating evidence indicates that the diagnosis, prognostic factors, and optimal management of PBL are difficult. The present study aims to investigate the clinicopathological features and optimal treatment of PBL and to evaluate the institutional experience in this patient population. A total of 30 patients with PBL from January 2002 to December 2012 treated in He'nan Province Tumor Hospital were selected. The patients' clinical and pathological characteristics, treatment and response data, patterns of recurrence, and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literatures were reviewed. All the cases were female, and the median age was 45. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma was the most common histological subtype seen in 23 of 30 patients. With a median follow-up time 32 months, median OS was 42 months (95 % CI 25-58 months), with 5-year OS rates 48 % (95 % CI 36-59 %). The median PFS was 14 months (95 % CI 6-30 months), with 5-year PFS rates 32 % (95 % CI 20-45 %). The prognostic factors that retained statistical significance for OS were IPI (P < 0.001), age (P = 0.04), and stage (P < 0.001). For PFS, significant prognostic factors were IPI (P = 0.01), radiotherapy given (P = 0.02) and stage (P = 0.02). PBL appears to have a worse prognosis. The present treatment method for PBL is a comprehensive way of diagnostic surgery together with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma with Involvement of the Breast and Testis in a Male Patient

Here we report a case of a 76-year-old man with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with simultaneous involvement of the right breast and left testicle. The patient underwent complete resection of the involved testis, followed by immunochemotherapy with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) and prophylactic radiotherapy to the contralateral testis. Following this multimodal therapy, he achieved a complete response. This is a rare case of DLBCL involving both the breast and the testis in a male patient.

Primary breast lymphoma

Primary breast lymphoma is a rare form of extranodal lymphoma, defined by the presence of a primary lesion within the breast with or without regional nodal involvement but no other extra-mammary sites of involvement. It comprises diverse histologic subtypes, but diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common. In this review, we describe in detail the clinical features, diagnosis and staging, pathogenesis, risk factors and therapy of primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. We consider choice and number of cycles of chemotherapy, the indications for radiotherapy and discuss the need for central nervous system prophylaxis. We also provide a brief overview of the less commonly encountered histologic subtypes including marginal zone, follicular, Burkitt and breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma. We conclude with a suggested treatment approach and potential areas of future research.

Ongoing challenge of optimal patient selection for CNS prophylaxis in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma

SUMMARY 

CNS relapse is a devastating and frequently lethal complication in patients with lymphoma, and selecting patients to receive CNS-directed prophylaxis is a common and frequently challenging decision for the clinician. Histologic subtype, anatomic location, molecular and clinical risk factors may all be used to stratify patients for CNS risk. In this paper we focus on these issues and attempt to provide practical guidance for the clinician in selecting which patients with lymphoma may benefit from CNS prophylaxis.

Primary breast diffuse large B cell lymphoma - report of 6 cases from South India with review of literature

The breast is an uncommon site of involvement in non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and primary breast lymphoma (PBL) is a disease localized to one or both breasts with or without regional lymph nodes involvement. The objectives of the study were to review the clinical profile, epidemiological parameters and assess the outcomes exclusively in women with primary diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of breast. This was a retrospective observational study done at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India. We studied 6 consecutive female patients, diagnosed with primary DLBCL of breast between January 2007 and December 2011. Median age at diagnosis was 45 years (range 33-56 years). B symptoms were present in 3 patients. One patient had central nervous system involvement with high risk International Prognostic Index (IPI). 3 patients underwent lumpectomy and 3 core biopsy. All received anthracycline based chemotherapy, with rituximab in one patient and 3 received involved field radiotherapy. Three patients achieved complete response; one is disease free at 15 months. Two relapsed at 8 and 53 months and both were alive with disease. One achieved partial response, one had progressive disease and response was not assessed in one (but died due to toxicity). Primary breast DLBCL is a rare entity and multi modality combination therapy involving chemotherapy and radiation can give a longer overall survival and thus avoiding the morbidity of mastectomy.

Lymphoma affecting the breast: a pictorial review of multimodal imaging findings

Hematological malignancies rarely affect the breast, and the majority of those that do are lymphomas. In this review, we describe the clinical aspects and multimodal imaging findings of breast lymphoma. We also illustrate the key clinical and radiological findings that allow it to be distinguished from various other malignant and benign diseases of the breast. Breast lymphoma manifests as a breast mass, a change in the subcutaneous tissue or the skin, or enlargement of the associated lymph node on radiological examination. Radiological findings associated with other breast malignancies, such as calcifications, spiculations, or architectural distortions are extremely rare. Skin and subcutaneous changes frequently accompany T-cell lymphoma. Multimodal breast imaging characteristics may aid in the diagnosis of breast lymphoma.

Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the breast: looking at pathogenesis, clinical issues and therapeutic options

Primary breast lymphoma is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with some distinct clinical features. The most common histopathological type is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but other less frequent subtypes are also encountered. In this review, we describe the characteristics of primary breast DLBCL, with emphasis on pathogenesis, staging, risk stratification and prognosis. In addition, key issues regarding therapy and various available therapeutic modalities are addressed, as well as the role of rituximab in therapy and whether central nervous system prophylaxis is still routinely required. There are very few prospective clinical studies addressing therapy, and available data rely mostly on retrospective case series involving small numbers of patients. Our conclusions and proposed recommendations are therefore not offered as formal guidelines. This review attempts to represent an unbiased analysis of the published data and is intended as a useful aid for clinicians treating this uncommon type of extra nodal lymphoma.