Methotrexate-related primary hepatic lymphoma in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Intern Med. 2015;54(4):401-5. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.3361.

Abstract

A 56-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate (MTX) was admitted to our hospital due to multiple liver tumors. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple hypovascular masses, and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography CT showed diffuse abnormal accumulation in the liver only. We therefore made a diagnosis of MTX-related primary hepatic lymphoma (MTX-PHL) exhibiting features of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Although MTX has been reported to increase the risk of lymphoproliferative disorders, MTX-PHL has not been reported previously. The present case is the first case in which MTX appears to have been involved in the development of PHL.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / diagnostic imaging
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / chemically induced*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects*
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Methotrexate