Low-grade B-cell lymphoma and concomitant extensive sarcoidlike granulomas: a case report and review of the literature

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2000 Jan;124(1):152-6. doi: 10.5858/2000-124-0152-LGBCLA.

Abstract

Sarcoidlike granulomas may occur in association with Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The granulomas may be concomitant and so extensive that they obscure the malignant process. In addition, a sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome has been described in which there appears to be a relationship between sarcoidosis and the development of a lymphoproliferative disorder. We report a case of a low-grade B-cell lymphoma with concomitant extensive sarcoidlike granulomas. The patient had no diagnostic clinical evidence of sarcoidosis, although she had an elevated serum calcium level and increased serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity. Increased serum calcium and serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity have been associated with clinical sarcoidosis but have also occasionally been described in association with Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma without evidence of sarcoidosis. We describe our findings and illustrate the usefulness of immunoperoxidase immunophenotyping techniques in such a case.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Calcium / blood
  • Cell Separation
  • DNA, Neoplasm / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain
  • Granuloma / blood
  • Granuloma / complications
  • Granuloma / genetics
  • Granuloma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / blood
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / complications
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / genetics
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / blood
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sarcoidosis / blood
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
  • Calcium