Primary breast lymphoma: outcome of 7 patients and a review of the literature

Leuk Lymphoma. 2005 Sep;46(9):1321-7. doi: 10.1080/10428190500126083.

Abstract

Primary breast lymphomas (PBL) are uncommon neoplasms. Seven PBL were diagnosed between March 1993 and October 2002. A lumpectomy (n=4) or radical mastectomy (n=3) was performed; 5 patients were in clinical stage (CS) II and 2 in CS IV; 6 patients received the CEOP regimen (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, epirubicin and prednisone) after surgery and 4 also had additional radiotherapy; 1 patient did not receive any treatment after local excision. Five patients (71%) achieved complete remission and 2 (29%) partial remission, with an overall response rate of 100%. All remitter patients are alive and well after a median follow-up of 75 months (range 10--121 months). Two patients in partial remission died of progressive disease. After a median follow-up of 99 months (range 84--111 months) for surviving patients, the 10 year overall and disease-free survival rates are both 71%, with 5 patients well and still free of disease. We conclude that the optimal sequence of full-dose anthracycline-containing regimens and radiation therapy should be the treatment of choice for patients with PBL.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / radiotherapy
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / therapy*
  • Male
  • Mastectomy
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate