title: Report of a case of primary breast lymphoma highlighting the importance of fine needle aspiration cytology as an initial diagnostic tool.
abstract: Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of breast is a rare pathology, representing 0.5% of malignant breast tumors. We report a case of 52 year old female presenting with a large painful mass in left breast with ipsilateral axillary lymph node diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Breast lymphoma should be differentiated from other breast malignancies because of the differences in their treatment modalities. When breast lymphoma presents as a lump with axillary node, it clinically mimics breast carcinoma. Ultrasonogram and mammogram shows no characteristic features that can distinguish it from other breast malignancy. In such cases, FNAC becomes an important diagnostic tool that can differentiate PBL from other breast malignancy and avoid unnecessary surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College and Hospital, Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Millu F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College and Hospital, Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Sanjay L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Khandekar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College and Hospital, Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Jayawant W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Mahadani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College and Hospital, Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Waman K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Raut
keywords: Breast lymphoma; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC); primary breast lymphoma (PBL)