Primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: treatment strategies and patterns of failure^*

Abstract

Treatment strategies and outcomes were assessed in 25 patients with primary breast diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PB-DLBCL) treated between 1995 and 2016. We specifically investigated the timing of recurrence, and the roles of radiotherapy (RT) and central nervous system prophylaxis (CNS PPX). Fifty-two percent of patients received RT, and 28% received CNS PPX. Fourteen patients (56%) experienced recurrence, with 76% of relapses occurring ≥24 months after diagnosis, in contrast to reports supporting the use of 24-month event-free survival as a surrogate endpoint in the general DLBCL population. Use of RT was associated with a trend toward improved progression-free survival (PFS). Twenty percent of patients experienced CNS relapse, with no clear benefit to CNS PPX. These data emphasize the importance of long-term follow-up for PB-DLBCL patients, suggest a PFS benefit with the addition of RT, and highlight high rates of CNS relapse.

Keywords:

• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
• breast cancer
• lymphoma
• radiotherapy
• intrathecal chemotherapy
• survivorship

Potential conflict of interest

Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10428194.2018.1460825.