A case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma originating from the residual cavity after left upper lobectomy for lung cancer

Abstract

We report a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after surgery for lung cancer. A-71-year-old man had undergone left upper lobectomy with chest wall resection for lung cancer combined with pre- and post-operative radiotherapy and lived for 19 years without recurrence. He noticed a swelling of his left anterior chest wall one month before readmission to our hospital. CT revealed a soft tissue-like tumor in his left anterior chest wall involving the 3rd rib. Two sessions of percutaneous needle biopsy failed to confirm a pathological diagnosis and he underwent surgical resection. The chest wall was involved with the tumor and was resected with the 3rd to 5th ribs. He was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma on the final pathological examination. The tumor originated from the residual cavity after lobectomy and it was considered to be a pyothorax-associated lymphoma-like disease. He was treated with 6 cycles of R-CHOP postoperatively and no recurrence was detected until he died of another disease.