Lymphoma of the breast: a mimic of inflammatory breast cancer.

BACKGROUND

Unusual presentation of breast lymphoma with signs and symptoms suggestive of inflammatory breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymphoma of the breast is uncommon whether it is primary or secondary. Most breast lymphomas are of B cell origin. The most frequent mode of presentation is a painless breast mass. The clinical presentation of localized left breast erythema and edema with an associated left breast mass is common for an inflammatory breast cancer but highly unusual for lymphoma of the breast.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with a left breast mass associated with erythema and edema, the differential diagnosis should include breast lymphoma in addition.