Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the vagina (PNHLV): a gynaecologist's enigma!

BMJ Case Rep. 2019 May 5;12(5):e228544. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-228544.

Abstract

Primary lymphoma of the female genital tract is very rare, particularly those presenting primarily in the vagina are even rarer. We report a case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with generalised abdominal pain, vaginal discharge and a thickening of the posterior vaginal wall. Prompt radiological investigations and biopsy led to early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Complete metabolic remission was obtained with three cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This case highlights the need for increasing the awareness about lymphomas presenting as vaginal lesion(s) and for clinicians to keep an open mind when working up such patients.

Keywords: cancer—see oncology; obstetrics, gynaecology and fertility; oncology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Colposcopy
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Doxorubicin
  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisone
  • Radiotherapy
  • Remission Induction
  • Rituximab
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vagina / pathology*
  • Vaginal Discharge / pathology
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Vincristine

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • R-CHOP protocol
  • Rituximab
  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisone