Objective:

To report a case of primary classical Hodgkin lymphoma presenting as recurrent breast abscess in a non-lactating woman and review existing literature.

Approach:

• Case Presentation: A 55-year-old non-lactating woman presented with a non-healing wound following incision and drainage of a recurrent breast abscess, leading to the diagnosis of primary classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

Key Findings:

• Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) is rare, accounting for 0.3–0.5% of breast lymphomas, with most cases being diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
• Recurrent breast abscesses in non-lactating women should raise suspicion for underlying malignancy.
• The patient was treated with the BV-AD regimen, resulting in excellent clinical response and complete wound healing.
• Histology revealed atypical lymphoid cells and Reed–Sternberg cells, consistent with classical Hodgkin lymphoma, mixed cellularity subtype.

Interpretation:

This case emphasizes the need to consider malignant causes, such as rare lymphomas, in patients with recurrent breast abscesses, which can mimic breast carcinoma.

Limitations:

• The rarity of primary breast lymphoma limits the generalizability of findings.
• The case highlights diagnostic challenges due to overlapping features with breast carcinoma.

Conclusion:

The case contributes to the limited literature on primary classical Hodgkin lymphoma of the breast and underscores the importance of thorough evaluation in atypical presentations.