Primary adrenal lymphoma with chromosomal abnormalities

Abstract

Lymphomas developing in the adrenal glands are rare. Twenty-one cases of primary adrenal lymphomas have been reported in the English literature, but no cytogenetic data were given. We had the opportunity to examine three cases of primary adrenal lymphoma characterized by the B cell phenotype. Samples for histologic and immunohistologic diagnosis were obtained from postmortem examination in cases 1 and 2, and with an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy in cases 2 and 3. In all 3 cases, histologic examination of adrenal masses showed diffuse medium-sized cleaved lymphoma cells, which were positive for L-26, an immunohistochemical B cell marker. Endocrine studies showed adrenal insufficiency in 1 case. Cytogenetic examination showed clonal abnormalities, including 8q24 in case 1 and 14q32 in case 2, similar to those observed in nodal B cell lymphoma.