title: Multifocal Bilateral Breast Cancer and Breast Follicular Lymphoma: A Simple Coincidence?
abstract: Breast cancer coexisting with lymphoma is a rare condition with various diagnostic and therapeutic implications. In this report, we describe the case of a 55-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with simultaneous ductal carcinoma in situ of the right breast, and follicular lymphoma involving an inguinal lymph node and the left breast. The patient underwent local excision and radiotherapy for the ductal carcinoma in situ, while a watch and wait strategy was adopted for the lymphoma. Two years later, the patient presented with multifocal ductal carcinoma of the left breast and reappearance of the lymphoma in the left axillary lymph nodes. She underwent bilateral mastectomy, left sentinel node biopsy, and chemotherapy. Synchronous follicular lymphoma and bilateral metachronous breast carcinoma has not been described previously. Diagnosis is based on tissue histology after excision or a needle biopsy. Treatment for these two diseases is distinct, and a multidisciplinary approach should be adopted.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Surgery, Laiko Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Adamantios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michalinos
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Laiko Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vassilakopoulos
authors.affiliation: First Department of Pathology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Levidou
authors.affiliation: First Department of Pathology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Korkolopoulou
authors.affiliation: First Department of Surgery, Laiko Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Michalis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kontos
keywords: Breast neoplasms; Follicular lymphoma; Multiple primary neoplasms; Noninfiltrating intraductal carcinoma