Primary Non-Hodgkin’s Breast Lymphoma

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer has become a real challenge to the quality of life and to life expectancy of the world population, with a considerable increase in its incidence and prevalence. Cuba has, since 1987, a breast cancer control program.

Objective: To present a case with primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the breast in a 70-year-old patient, its clinical picture and the diagnostic means used.

Clinical case: 70-year-old female patient, with black skin, who came to the family medical office due to malaise, discomfort and increased volume in her right breast. She was referred to surgery and complementary studies were performed. Nodule of medium density was identified, with partially defined contours, distortion of the neighboring tissue, together with other nodules of less size and density in the lower internal quadrant, and vascular calcifications in both breasts. A biopsy confirms diffuse high-grade large-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Conclusions: Primary non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the breast is very rare and difficult to diagnose clinically because there are no specific signs, symptoms or imaging criteria for it. Breast self-examination continues to be the main method of diagnosis for breast cancer and, although clinical examination, breast ultrasound and mammography support such diagnostic presumption, it is the biopsy that only provides the precise diagnostic confirmation.