Primary breast lymphoma with sudden death

Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2011 Jun;32(2):176-9. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0b013e318219c8a2.

Abstract

Primary breast lymphoma is a rare form of extranodal lymphoma. B cells constitute the most common type involving the breast. T cells represents only 3%. Even though lymphomas have a high predilection to metastasize to the heart, there are no specific clinical or radiological findings, and most of the cases are diagnosed at autopsy. We discuss the case of a 49-year-old woman with primary breast lymphoma who presented with sudden death. Autopsy revealed a primary T-cell lymphoma of the breast with tumoral infiltration of the atrioventricular node and transmural myocardial permeation with focal necrosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Atrioventricular Node / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Death, Sudden / etiology*
  • Female
  • Forensic Pathology
  • Heart Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Necrosis
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness