Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma solely involving bilateral adrenal glands and stomach: report of an extremely rare case with review of the literature

Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2014 Oct 15;7(11):8190-7. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

A 60-year-old man complained of nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and a feeling of abdominal fullness in August 2013. Based on biopsy findings from an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy examination, a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), non-GC type, was made. F18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) revealed abnormal accumulations solely in the gastric wall (SUVmax = 14.5), the left adrenal gland (SUVmax = 14.3), and the right adrenal gland (SUVmax = 8.5). The clinical stage (Ann Arbor) was IVA, the serum LDH level was within the reference range, and the International Prognostic Index (IPI) was low-intermediate. The serum soluble IL-2 receptor level was within the reference range, and there was no evidence of HIV, EB virus, or autoimmune disease. After the completion of 4 cycles of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) and 2 parallel cycles of prophylactic intrathecal (I.T.), an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and a FDG-PET/CT examination showed complete remission (CR). The patient received 8 cycles of ritsuximab therapy, 6 cycles of CHOP, and 3 cycles of I.T. The patient has maintained a CR for about 14 months. A literature search revealed that malignant lymphoma with involvement confined to the adrenal gland and gastrointestinal tract is exceedingly rare, and only 3 cases of malignant lymphoma have been reported, with involvement of the stomach in 2 cases and the duodenum in 1 case. All of the cases were diagnosed as DLBCL. The case described herein represents the third case with involvement of the stomach.

Keywords: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); adrenal gland; stomach.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Stomach Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*