Mantle cell lymphoma presenting as a breast mass.
Breast lymphoma accounts for less than 1% of all non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) and approximately 0.1% of all breast neoplasms. Most breast lymphomas are classified as diffuse large B cell or mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. The case of a 53 year old woman presenting with a breast mass and found to have mantle cell lymphoma is described. Core biopsy of the breast lesion showed a B cell NHL, probably of large cell type and of high grade. Morphological and immunophenotypic analysis of peripheral blood and bone marrow samples suggested a mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). This was confirmed by the detection of a t(11;14) in the bone marrow aspirate and breast tissue by polymerase chain reaction analysis. There have been no previous reports of an MCL presenting as a breast lump. Because a diagnosis of MCL has prognostic and therapeutic implications, this case highlights the need for an awareness of MCL presenting in this way, and the requirement for specialised investigations in its detection.
Windrum
P
P
Department of Haematology, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AD, Northern Ireland, UK.
Morris
T C
TC
Catherwood
M A
MA
Alexander
H D
HD
McManus
D T
DT
Markey
G M
GM
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D002880:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11; D002883:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D020522:Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014178:Translocation, Genetic; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone