[Primary pleural lymphoma: a late complication of pleural decortication for tuberculosis: two cases in western countries]

Abstract

Pleural lymphomas after a long standing pyothorax due to pleuropulmonary tuberculosis are now well identified, but rarely observed in Europe. We report two new cases in a non-immunocompromised patients. The two cases occurred 5455 years following artificial pneumothorax for pulmonary tuberculosis. The patients presented with a localized pleural tumor mass. Histology revealed high-grade lymphomas, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and anaplastic lymphoma. Serology for Epstein-Barr virus was positive. Pleural lymphomas are an established complication of artificial pneumothorax. Epstein-Barr virus is known to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis, but despite the large number of artificial pneumothorax operations, these lymphomas remain rare, suggesting additional oncogenic factors.