TWO CASES OF PRIMARY SPLENIC MALIGNANT LYMPHOMA

Abstract

Two patients with primary malignant lymphoma of the spleen were surgically treated. The first case, a 86-year-old female, admitted with complaints of general fatigue and high fever. With a preoperative diagnosis of abscess of the spleen, a splenectomy was performed and the spleen was adherent to the diaphragm, stomach and great omentum. The spleen measured 15 by 13 by 6 centimeters, weighted 580 grams and was almost replaced yellowish white tumor with a centrally necrotic tissues. Histological diagnosis was malignant lymphoma, diffuse large cell type, and the patient died 3 months later. The second case, a 66-year-old female, had no complaints but a splenic tumor was detected at the ultrasonographical mass examination. A clinical diagnosis of malignant lymphoma of spleen was made, then a splenectomy was undergone. The spleen weighted 168 grams and the tumor measured 6 centimeters in diameter. The microscopic examination established the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma, diffuse small cell type. This case has the lightest primary splenic malignant lymphoma among those ever reported in the medical literature of Japan. The patient is alive and well for 1 year and 2 months with no signs of malignant disease after splenectomy and chemotherapy.