Lymphoma presenting as an intramuscular mass.
BACKGROUND
Resection of an intramuscular mass without tissue diagnosis can lead to unnecessary surgery.


METHODS
During a 4.5-year period 19 previously healthy patients referred with an undiagnosed soft tissue tumour were found to have intramuscular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In seven patients this was the only focus of disease (Stage IE). Patients were treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy alone or in combination.


RESULTS
After mean follow-up of 43 months all of the patients with stage IE lymphoma are alive and disease free.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary intramuscular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has a good prognosis. The importance of a tissue diagnosis by needle core biopsy is emphasized.
Hill
S
S
Department of Surgery, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
Dunn
A
A
Thomas
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009379:Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy