Primary hepatic lymphoma in liver cirrhosis: A rare case report

Abstract

Primary hepatic lymphoma is rare. Clinical and radiological presentations are not specific. The diagnosis is often late. Chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, especially post-viral C usually precedes primary liver lymphoma. The differential diagnosis arises mainly with other hepatic tumors, such as atypical hypovascular cellular hepatocellular carcinoma when there is liver cirrhosis and with hypovascular hepatic metastases, especially colorectal, stomach and lung metastases. Other differential diagnosis are tuberculosis or sarcoidosis, particularly when there is multiple lesions. We report the case of a 52-year woman, with a history of hepatitis C infection, presenting liver cirrhosis with multiple hepatic lesions. Radiological aspect was not specific which makes it difficult to distinguish from other hepatic tumors, especially hypovascular liver metastases.

Focal liver lesions other than hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: Diagnostic challenges

“…[100] Most often, solitary liver lesions are seen in PHL (60%), but multiple lesions are also possible. [100,101] In contrast, multiple liver lesions are seen in about 90% of cases in secondary lymphoma involvement of the liver.…”

“…[ 100 ] PHL accounts for 0.4% of extranodal NHL and 0.016% of all NHL. [ 100 , 101 ] PHL has also been described in liver cirrhosis. [ 100 , 101 ] Primary hepatic extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) has been reported to be the second most common variant of lymphoma after DLBCL.…”

“…[ 100 , 101 ] PHL has also been described in liver cirrhosis. [ 100 , 101 ] Primary hepatic extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) has been reported to be the second most common variant of lymphoma after DLBCL. Histologic liver assessment is required for the accurate diagnosis of primary hepatic extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of MALT.…”

Prevalence of benign focal liver lesions and non-hepatocellular carcinoma malignant lesions in liver cirrhosis

“…Chronic liver disease before the onset of PHL has been reported in 9.6 % [59] PHL has also been described in liver cirrhosis [59,60]. HCV infection is found in 20-60 % of patients, indicating that it may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease [59].…”

“…PHL is rare, less than 1 % of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma. PHL accounts for 0.4 % of extranodal NHL and 0.016 % of all NHL [59,60].…”