Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the breast: breast conservation therapy in two patients.

We report two patients with primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the breast who were treated with breast conservation therapy. These two patients were diagnosed with primary breast lymphoma by fine-needle aspiration cytology and underwent tumorectomy followed by adjuvant chemoradiation therapy. Follow-up studies showed that the two patients were free of disease for two and three years, respectively. To date, there exists no therapeutic standard for this disease and there is no survival advantage for patients who undergo radical mastectomy. Despite the rarity of lymphoma in the breast, a preoperative accurate diagnosis is essential so that unnecessary, extended breast ablation or delayed treatment is avoided. Cytologic diagnosis of breast lymphoma is an easy procedure and provides guidance for appropriate preoperative management. Early diagnosis combined with breast conservation therapy and systemic adjuvant therapy results in a favorable outcome for patients with breast lymphoma.