Diffuse large B cell lymphoma of the mesentery: an unusual presentation and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma is the most commonly diagnosed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, whereas lymphoma is the most common cause of mesenteric masses. We herein present a very rare case of a young male patient with a giant diffuse large B cell lymphoma of the mesentery that was incidentally diagnosed during his admission for a road traffic accident.


METHODS
At laparotomy, a huge tumor measuring 18 x 14 x 10 cm was found originating from the jejunal mesentery. Despite the giant size of the tumor, the patient was completely asymptomatic. After complete surgical recection with clear margins, he recieved six cycles of CHOP chemotherapy in the pre-rituximab era.


CONCLUSIONS
He remained disease-free 2 years after surgery, but unfortunately, he relapsed with disseminated disease and died 6 months later. Mesenteric lymphomas may remain asymptomatic until they reach a large size. The presence of a bulky mesenteric mass is a poor prognostic indicator.


CONCLUSIONS
Although chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for diffuse large B cell lymphoma, in some cases radical surgery has a role in establishing a definitive diagnosis.
Salemis
Nikolaos S
NS
2nd Department of Surgery, Army General Hospital, Athens, Greece. nikos_salemis@hotmail.com
Gourgiotis
Stavros
S
Tsiambas
Evangelos
E
Karagkiouzis
Grigorios
G
Nakos
Georgios
G
Karathanasis
Vasilios
V
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008643:Mesentery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone