T-cell rich B-cell lymphoma masquerading as Hodgkin disease: excellent outcome to inadequate therapy

Bol Asoc Med P R. 1996 Apr-Jun;88(4-6):32-4.

Abstract

T-cell rich B-cell lymphomas (TCRBCL) are characterized as non-Hodgkin lymphomas with a minor population of malignant B-cells scattered among predominant, reactive T-lymphocytes. This entity can easily be confused with lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin disease (HD-LP), resulting in inappropriate therapy and a poor outcome. Because of their similarity, the pathology of patients treated for HD-LP with an inadequate or short-lived response to therapy should always be reviewed by an expert hematopathologist. We describe the first reported patient in Puerto Rico with TCRBCL, originally diagnosed and treated as HD-LP. Although the patient received partial, substandard therapy for TCRBCL, an excellent prolonged complete response ensued, thus, giving further credence to the fact that malignant lymphomas and TCRBCL in particular, are a protean group of disorders which should be precisely and accurately classified before the proper therapeutic strategies can be outlined.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Hodgkin Disease / diagnosis*
  • Hodgkin Disease / therapy
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / therapy
  • Male
  • T-Lymphocytes
  • Treatment Outcome