[Cardiac localization of non Hodgkin's lymphoma: a study on four cases]

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiac localization of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is rare and usually seen in the latest phase of the disease. However, its frequency is certainly under-estimated because 20% of patients who die of lymphoma have a heart involvement at autopsy.

Exegesis: We report four cases of cardiac involvement of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with various revelation modalities. Features of cardiac lymphoma are multiple and not specific. Echocardiography can be helpful in finding cardiac localizations, which can involve every cardiac structure. Histological proof of such an involvement is sometimes difficult to obtain.

Conclusion: Prognosis of cardiac lymphoma remains poor despite the real progress in the treatment of lymphomas.