Clinically silent primary adrenal lymphoma: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Primary adrenal lymphoma (PAL) is extremely uncommon. We describe a case of clinically silent non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma of diffuse large cell type with exclusive left adrenal localization. The tumor was discovered by computed tomography (CT) as a 2.5-cm dense mass and diagnosed at autopsy. Literature concerning this unusual neoplasm is reviewed. During the early stage, particularly when the lesion is small, PAL is likely to be missed. This unusual entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of adrenal masses so that early diagnosis may be made and intervention might dramatically affect the clinical outcome. Am. J. Hematol. 58:130-136, 1998.

Primary adrenal adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma: A case report and review of the literature

“…There may be low attenuation foci in the masses that may be due to necrosis [2,3], as demonstrated in our case. Recent studies demonstrated that fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography has high sensitivity and specificity for differentiating malignant from benign adrenal masses [2,7]. Nevertheless, there is no pathognomonic appearance on imaging studies to indicate lymphomatous involvement of the adrenal glands [2][3][4]7].…”

“…CT scan is considered the most important imaging modality in evaluating adrenal masses. PAL tends to appear as complex masses with a variable density on CT scan and MRI [2,4]. A small number of PALs show homogenous density [2][3][4]7], but no calcification, fat content, or hemorrhage were observed in the masses.…”

“…PAL tends to appear as complex masses with a variable density on CT scan and MRI [2,4]. A small number of PALs show homogenous density [2][3][4]7], but no calcification, fat content, or hemorrhage were observed in the masses. There may be low attenuation foci in the masses that may be due to necrosis [2,3], as demonstrated in our case.…”

“…A small number of PALs show homogenous density [2][3][4]7], but no calcification, fat content, or hemorrhage were observed in the masses. There may be low attenuation foci in the masses that may be due to necrosis [2,3], as demonstrated in our case. Recent studies demonstrated that fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography has high sensitivity and specificity for differentiating malignant from benign adrenal masses [2,7].…”

“…However, primary adrenal lymphoma (PAL) is rare. The majority of the reported PAL cases are of B-cell origin [1][2][3][4]. To our knowledge, no cases of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) arising in the adrenal gland (primary adrenal ATLL) have been reported so far.…”