Malignant lymphoma of the uterine cervix

Abstract

Three patients with primary malignant lymphoma of the uterine cervix are reported and the literature is reviewed. All of the patients in the current cases presented with irregular menstruation. Two patients were found to have diffuse histiocytic lymphoma, and one patient had diffuse mixed lymphoma. Histologic diagnosis was confirmed by outside expert pathologists in all cases. In spite of locally advanced disease according to FIGO's classification (Stage IVA-2 and Stage IIB-1), they responded well to external irradiation, and had control of tumor within the pelvis. All are alive at 13, 7, and 3 years, respectively, after the completion of irradiation. One patient developed disseminated disease 4.25 years after the completion of external irradiation, but was successfully treated with combination chemotherapy for 2 years, and is alive at 6.75 years after the completion of chemotherapy without disease. Review of the other 21 cases reported in the literature reveals that 14 were free of disease after treatment. The importance of distinguishing malignant lymphoma from undifferentiated carcinoma or sarcoma is emphasized since cervical malignant lymphoma can be successfully treated with irradiation in spite of locally advanced disease.