title: Plasmablastic lymphoma of the breast in an immunocompetent patient: long-lasting complete response induced by chemotherapy and autologous stem cell trasplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare entity which is often causally related to infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Despite its predilection for oral cavity involvement, multiple cases of extra-oral involvement have been reported in the literature, more often among immunocompetent individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Herein we present the first case of primary PBL of the breast in an otherwise immunocompetent 36-year-old woman who was successfully treated with consolidation megatherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PBL carries a particularly poor prognosis and more intensive treatment is usually warranted. However, no treatment guidelines exist and treatment choices are made based on case reports and small retrospective case series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matikas
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematopathology, "Evangelismos" Hosptial, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kanellis
authors.affiliation: Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, "Alexandra" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Papadimitriou
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematopathology, "Evangelismos" Hosptial, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Theodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Papadaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kotsakis
authors.affiliation: Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, "Alexandra" Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Meletios A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dimopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece georgsec@med.uoc.gr.
authors.forename: Vassilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Georgoulias
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D060828:Induction Chemotherapy; D008327:Mammography; D010954:Plasmacytoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: HIV; Plasmablastic lymphoma; autologous transplant; breast