Lymphosarcoma of the Mediastinum with Metastases to the Skeleton: Report of a Case

Abstract

Lymphosarcoma, as originally described by Kundrat, is an invasive tumor composed of lymphocytes or their forbears. Grossly it consists of a localized tumor involving a group of lymph nodes and invading the surrounding tissues. There may be metastases of varying extent. Microscopically the cell type is usually fairly uniform in a single case, but varies in different cases from a primitive cell or lymphoblast to an apparently mature lymphocyte. Some authorities conceive of reticulo-endothelioma of the lymph nodes as an extremely primitive lymphosarcoma, whereas others prefer to regard this as a separate type. Lymphosarcoma partakes somewhat of the character of leukemia, in that it may infiltrate tissues with very little destruction. It resembles the sarcomata in (1) its localization to one group of nodes, to which the lesion remains confined longer than is the case in other proliferative lymph node lesions, and (2) its definite invasive properties. A leukemic blood picture may be present, (Sternberg's leukosarcomatosis). A case belonging to this group was observed recently on the Medical Service of the State of Wisconsin General Hospital, having been referred by Dr. Oscar Lotz of Milwaukee.