MAMMOGRAPHIC AND SONOGRAPHIC APPEARANCES OF NON-HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA OF THE BREAST

Abstract

PURPOSE;
Secondary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is uncommonly encountered in the breast. This paper aims to demonstrate mammographic and sonographic findings of non -Hodgkin's lymphoma of the breast.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
From August 1996 to July 1997, three patients (mean age 42.3 years, range 19- 78 years) with NHL of the breast were diagnosed. Two patients had both mammogra- phy and sonography while one patient had sonography alone. Histologic confirmation
was obtained in all cases.
RESULTS:
All three patients had secondary NHL of the breast. One of them had AIDS- related lymphoma. Mammography revealed multiple, circumscribed uncalcified masses in one patient and diffuse increased parenchymal density with skin thickening in the other. Sonography showed multiple hypoechoic masses in two patients and diffuse in- homogeneous echoes in one patient. Histologic examination showed diffuse NHL in all patients.
CONCLUSION:
In patient with a history of NHL, the diagnosis of secondary breast NHL should be considered when multiple masses or diffuse lesions are observed.
NHL = Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma