Axillary and intramammary lymphadenopathy caused by Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease mimicking malignant lymphoma

Breast Cancer. 2013 Jan;20(1):97-101. doi: 10.1007/s12282-009-0182-0. Epub 2009 Nov 27.

Abstract

We describe a rare case of intramammary and axillary lymphadenopathy caused by Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD). A 30-year-old woman presented with enlarged axillary lymph nodes and a right breast mass with tenderness. Computed tomography, ultrasonography, F-2-deoxy-fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography and fine-needle aspiration cytology were performed, and malignant lymphoma (ML) was suspected. Histological diagnosis of a needle biopsy and surgical specimen showed histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis. It is important to differentiate KFD from ML because of differences in treatment choice and clinical outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Female
  • Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis / complications*
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymphatic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Lymphatic Diseases / etiology*
  • Lymphatic Diseases / pathology
  • Lymphoma / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoma / pathology
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography, Mammary