Primary Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the Breast with MYC and BCL2 Rearrangements with Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Expression: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Primary breast lymphoma represents only 1% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The most common histology is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. When dual translocations of MYC and BCL2 or BCL6 occur, it is referred to as “high-grade B-cell lymphoma with rearrangements of MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6” according to the 4th edition of the WHO classification of hematolymphoid tumors. The expression of tdt in this type of malignancy is exceptional. Case Report: This is a case of a 54-year-old woman presenting with a rapidly growing painless mass. Ultrasound-guided core biopsy of the breast mass showed infiltrate of medium-sized neoplastic lymphocytes which stained as CD79a-positive B cells co-expressing CD10, BCL2, tdt, and MYC. Ki-67 is positive in 80%. There was rearrangement of MYC and BCL2 at FISH. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan was negative elsewhere. Final diagnosis was a DLBCL of the breast with tdt expression. She was treated with 6 cycles of R-hyperCVAD/MA (R = rituximab, C = cyclophosphamide, V = vincristine, A = cytarabine, D = dexamethasone, M = methotrexate) and intrathecal chemotherapy (IT CT). Restaging PET shows resolution of all avid uptake. We did a review of literature showing the importance of giving an intensive chemotherapy regimen, high-dose methotrexate, cytarabine, and IT CT for central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis. Conclusion: Primary DLBCL of the breast with rearrangement of MYC and BCL2 and tdt expression is an aggressive disease not very well studied that needs to be treated with an intensive CT and CNS prophylaxis. Stem cell transplant could be given after first remission.

Keywords

• primary diffuse large b-cell lymphoma of the breast
• myc and bcl2 rearrangements
• terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase expression
• r-hypercvad/ma
• case report