Primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: ten cases with a review of the literature

Abstract

Primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (PPNHL) of the lung occurs very rarely. To clarify clinical features, treatment alternatives and outcomes, we evaluated our surgically diagnosed PPNHL cases. A retrospective review of PPNHL cases from January 2004 to December 2009 was performed. Demographic and clinical data are presented as means or medians. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival rates were compared using the log-rank test. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Patients were eight males and two females with a median age of 50 years (range, 29-76 years). In 40% of the patients, antigenic stimulation, immune-suppression or auto-immune disease could not been found. All patients were symptomatic at presentation. Surgical procedures were needed to obtain a diagnosis (nine wedge resections and one pneumonectomy). Eight patients had an extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma), and two had diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. The patients were treated with observation (pneumonectomy case), chemotherapy (n= 7), and chemotherapy and radiotherapy (n= 1). Five-year survival was 76%. Difference in survival rates of patients with bilateral vs. unilateral disease were not statistically different. On contrary of the literature, PPNHL can occur with absence of antigenic stimulation, and patients generally have some symptoms. Chemotherapy or surgery can be used to treat PPNHL. Patient survival is good.