Excellent prognosis and prevalence of HCV infection of primary hepatic and splenic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
BACKGROUND
Primary Hepatic (PHL) and Primary Splenic (PSL) non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma are rare entities. Small series of PHL and PSL have been reported, suggesting a non-fortuitous association with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection. The prognosis is believed to be dismal, with early recurrence and short survival.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed all PHL and PSL patients diagnosed at our institution between 1990 and 2005.


RESULTS
Twenty-five adult patients were identified, six with PHL and 19 with PSL. Twenty-four patients had a B-cell lymphoma, defined as Diffuse Large B-cell lymphoma in 18. The prevalence of HCV infection was 68% among PSL and 66% among PHL. Combination chemotherapy was the mainstay of treatment for PHL and PSL; all but one patient with PSL underwent splenectomy before chemotherapy. Complete remission was achieved in all the cases after frontline therapy; only four patients relapsed but responded to additional chemotherapy courses. Most patients presented with aggressive histological subtypes; 92% were alive at a median follow up of 79 months. HCV infection did not appear to influence the results of therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirms the rarity of PHL and PSL, shows a high prevalence of HCV infection, and demonstrates that the outcome of patients with PHL and PSL may be favourable.
De Renzo
Amalia
A
Hematology Unit, Federico II University, Naples, Italy. aderenzo@unina.it
Perna
Fabiana
F
Persico
Marcello
M
Notaro
Rosario
R
Mainolfi
Ciro
C
de Sio
Ilario
I
Ciancia
Giuseppe
G
Picardi
Marco
M
Del Vecchio
Luigi
L
Pane
Fabrizio
F
Rotoli
Bruno
B
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D015996:Survival Rate