Extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease in the breast: a literature review from 1969 to 2023.

Abstract

Objective: Reviewing available literature regarding extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease in the breast to explore the clinical characteristics of this disease, the described therapeutic options, and their outcomes.

Method: In January 2024, the PubMed, SpringerOpen, and Scopus databases were searched with the keywords "Rosai," "Dorfman," and "Breast." Forty-two studies were included in the final analysis, obtaining a total of 70 reported cases of extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease affecting the breast. Patient characteristics, mammogram descriptions, therapeutic management, and outcomes were reviewed for statistical analysis.

Results: The main population consisted of females in their sixth decade of life (93%), presenting with a firm, non-tender nodule (65.7%), generally localized to one breast (72%). About 18.6% of patients had nodal or extranodal disease in other areas. Excisional biopsy was the main treatment strategy (63%) and surgical excision showed a lesser association with recurrence than incisional biopsy (p = 0.049). Most instances of disease recurrence or progression were diagnosed within the first 2 years.

Conclusions: This study revealed that surgical excision showed less association with disease recurrence or progression than expectant management. Follow-up can be conducted with a mammogram and physical examination since recurrence tends to occur locally within 2 years.