Background: Breast lymphoma is rare, reflecting fewer than 0.1% of breast malignancies with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma reflecting the most common histologic subtype. Male breast cancer is also rare, accounting for fewer than 0.25% of all malignancies in men and fewer than 1% of all breast cancers diagnosed. Male breast lymphoma, therefore, represents a rare breast abnormality which may arise primarily or in the setting of coexistent male breast carcinoma.
Men typically present for diagnostic evaluation of breast concerns later than women, due to a variety of factors including lack of education, lack of clinical breast examination or clinical awareness, social stigma, and the lack of a national screening program. Breast cancers, including lymphoma, may therefore be diagnosed at later stages of illness in men as compared to women, present with a wider variety of imaging appearances, and require more aggressive management. Male breast abnormalities are often identified incidentally during workup of other complaints.
This educational exhibit will review the varied imaging appearances and of male breast lymphoma with attention to the various histologic subtypes and their implications regarding management and treatment.
Learning Objectives: Review the incidence of breast lymphoma vs. other primary breast cancers. Deliver a pictorial review of at least 5 male breast lymphoma cases, focusing on presentation, histologic subtypes, and multimodality imaging findings.
Abstract Content/Results: Learning objectives will be met through discussion of at least five cases of male breast lymphoma at our institution. Format of the presentation will be a PowerPoint pictorial review of case details, relevant multimodality images, biopsy results, and a discussion of current management guidelines for male breast lymphoma.
Conclusion: Male breast lymphoma is a rare but important entity for breast imagers to maintain an awareness of. Multiple histologic subtypes may present with varied imaging appearances. Male patients often present in later stages of disease than their female counterparts, which may necessitate more aggressive management.
