Female patient with a history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, diagnosed with MALT lymphoma of both breasts

Abstract

Background: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas are a distinct subgroup of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with preferable localization in the gastrointestinal tract. PATIENTS AND METHODS We describe the unusual case of a 48-year-old female patient, who was diagnosed with simultaneous MALT lymphoma of both breasts. Cervical, axillary and retroperitoneal lymph nodes were slightly enlarged, indicating an infiltration by the lymphoma. In her medical history the patient suffered from Hashimoto's thyroiditis. After 6 cycles of chemotherapy with CHOP regimen, the patient achieved complete remission.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first case describing a patient with MALT lymphoma of the breast and a history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. As patients suffering from autoimmune disorders, especially Sjögren's syndrome and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, are at a higher risk to develop B-cell lymphoma, we assume that Hashimoto's thyroiditis favored development of MALT lymphoma in our patient.