Primary pulmonary lymphoma: diagnosis and follow-up of 6 cases and review of an uncommon entity
Varona, J.Felipe.; Guerra, J.Manuel.; Grande, C.; Villena, V.; González-Lois, C.; Martínez, M.Angel.
Tumori 91(1): 24-29
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8916 PMID: 15850001 Document Number: 586675
Aims and background. Primary pulmonary lymphoma is an uncommon disease with a poorly defined management. We reviewed and followed the cases of primary pulmonary lymphoma in our institution to gather an estimation of this entity in our population.Design and methods: We reviewed the records of all patients with biopsy-proven lymphoma of the lung. The main diagnostic criterion for primary pulmonary lymphoma was the absence of extrapulmonary involvement.Results: We identified 6 cases of primary pulmonary lymphoma among 33 patients with biopsy-proven lymphoma of the lung evaluated in our center in a 12-year period. A radiological abnormality in an asymptomatic patient was the most common clinical presentation. Four cases were low-grade and two cases high-grade non-Hodgkin PPL. Histopathologic analyses of lung specimens obtained by transbronchial biopsy were suff icient for a diagnosis In 5 of the 6 cases and avoided invasive surgical maneuvers. Most patients followed an Indolent course, but with a tendency to relapse.Conclusions: Although clinical management of this entity Is undefined, we feel bronchoscopic study, which Is less aggressive than surgery, may be an adequate procedure for a diagnosis. Mono-chemotherapy using alkylating agents and careful clinical observation may be the best therapeutic approach for these patients, since most of them have favorable outcomes, whatever the treatment modalities.