Primary malignant lymphoma of the liver

Abstract

Clinical and pathologic features of 69 cases with primary hepatic lymphoma, 52 reported from Western countries and 17 cases from Japan, were summarized in terms of clinical findings including age and sex, past history, presenting symptoms, and physical findings, diagnostic procedures including imaging techniques and histopathology, and finally therapy and follow-up. The present cases included four patients with an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and 12 with a history of chronic liver diseases. Histologically, all cases were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with diffuse large cell type being the most common immunochemically about 80% were B-cell type. Follow-up showed that hepatic lymphoma had a relatively favourable prognosis provided early detection was possible.