Research Article

Lymphoma of Breast in a Developing Community

Wilson IB Onuigbo*

Department of Pathology, Medical Foundation and Clinic, Nigeria

Submission: December 14, 2017; Published: January 03, 2018

*Corresponding author: Wilson IB Onuigbo, Department of Pathology, Medical Foundation and Clinic, 8 Nsukka Lane, Enugu Nigeria, Email: wilson.onuigbo@gmail.com

How to cite this article: Wilson IB O.Lymphoma of Breast in a Developing Community. Canc Therapy & Oncol Int J. 2018; 8(5): 55576. DOI: 10.19080/CTOIJ.2018.08.555746

Abstract

Primary malignant lymphoma is a rare condition. Recent reports came from the UK and Taiwan. The former ranged in age from 17 to 77 years (mean 52 years). In the latter, which proved to be a survey of the literature, the age range was from 19 to 92 years (mean 57 years). Therefore, this series from the Igbo Ethnic Group in Nigeria is presented for comparism. The material, which is drawn from a histopathology data pool manned by the author from 1970 onwards; reveals involvement of a much younger cohort. All cases were in females.

Keywords: Breast; Lymphoma; Female; Age

Introduction

Primary lymphoma of the breast is a rare condition. In a British survey of 15 patients [1], the age range was 17 to 77 years (mean 52). A worldwide review carried out from Korea [2], the comparative figures were 19 to 92 (mean 57 years). All the cases were females. Therefore, this personal series deals with 10 patients of the Igbo ethnic group in South Eastern Nigeria [3]. The collection was possible due to the establishment of the Regional Pathology Laboratory by the then Government at the Capital City, Enugu.

Investigation

It was appreciated strongly by the Birmingham (UK) group that the establishment of a histopathology data pool facilitates epidemiological analysis [4]. As the pioneer pathologist in Enugu, I encouraged the physicians working in the community to send me biopsy specimens provided that they furnished clinical details.

Results

These are tabulated below (Tables 1 & 2).

Discussion

All the series pertain to females. Unlike the cited world patterns, the local patients were much younger, seeing that the peak age 31-40 years and the age range was from 13 years to 65 years (mean 25.9 years). Incidentally, the mean age of the indigenous females was 40 years in Japan [5], 67.5 years in USA [6], and 54 years in another USA report [7]. Literature review indicated that the right breast is more commonly affected [8]. The present series confirms this trend. There was a remarkable case in which the presentation mimicked inflammatory breast cancer [9]. One local case was described as "a warm, soft, rapidly growing tumour." A debate ranged in Britain regarding whether a distant hospital could benefit from a central laboratory [10]. Indeed, it has been shown elsewhere that this does not apply here [11]. A close inspection of Table 1 reveals that, much as most patients were treated in the Capital City, four were from distant towns.

References

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