Collision tumors with synchronous presentation of breast carcinoma and lymphoproliferative disorders in the axillary nodes of patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer: a case series

Clin Breast Cancer. 2011 Mar;11(1):61-6. doi: 10.3816/CBC.2011.n.010.

Abstract

Although occurrence of a second tumor is a well-recognized phenomenon in patients with a treated malignancy, simultaneous presentation with a second primary malignancy ("collision tumor") is rare in patients with breast cancer. We report a series of 7 patients who were undergoing axillary nodal staging of a newly diagnosed breast cancer. Six patients were found to have collision tumors in their axillary lymph nodes consisting of metastatic breast cancer and a previously unknown lymphoproliferative disorder. In 1 additional patient, a lymph node biopsy of a palpable axillary node resulted in the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer and lymphoma. Awareness and diagnosis of such collision tumors will lead to appropriate management of each malignancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Axilla
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Lymph Nodes / surgery
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / surgery