Lymphocytic Mastopathy: An Autoimmune Disease of the Breast?

Abstract

Eight cases are reported of an unusual breast lesion consisting of dense intralobular, perilobular, and perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates associated with lobular atrophy and sclerosis. Immunologic studies on paraffin-embedded tissue (seven cases) and frozen tissue (two cases) demonstrated a predominance of B-cells and expression of HLA-DR antigen in involved lobular epithelium. The immunologic features of this lesion are reminiscent of lymphoepithelial lesions of salivary glands and other sites. A possible autoimmune pathogenesis is suggested.

Primary Breast Lymphoma with Unconventional Presentation: A Case Report

“…FNAC is ideal for the primary diagnosis of PBL as it assist in early detection and treatment. However, the differential diagnosis of PBL should be made according to the pathological findings, which is crucial for understanding the typing and staging of these tumors [19].…”

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue

“…Infiltrating breast carcinoma is often suspected and can be misdiagnosed on frozen section. The role of "lymphocytic mastopathy," a form of autoimmune breast disease, as a precursor to breast lymphoma is controversial [159,160]. Published data about treatment are limited.…”

Inflammatory infiltrate in invasive lobular and ductal carcinoma of the breast

“…This was reinforced by a case report describing this association (Chetty and Butler, 1993). Lymphocytic lobulitis is a recently recognized disorder of the breast characterised by perilobular and perivascular aggregates of B and T lymphocytes with increased expression of class II major histocompatibility antigens by the lobular and ductal epithelium (Lammie et al, 1991;Schwartz and Strauchen, 1990). We have therefore compared the patterns of inflammation in invasive ductal and lobular carcinomas, both within the tumours and in the adjacent breast tissue.…”