Renal involvement in patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma: Clinical and pathological features in 23 cases

Abstract

Twenty-three cases of renal or perirenal involvement by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were identified from a retrospective review of computed tomography (CT) scans performed on patients at St Bartholomew's Hospital over an 8-year period. The histology, clinical features and survival of these patients were examined. Eighteen of the 23 patients had high grade histological subtypes according to the Kiel classification. The majority of cases were identified from scans performed at the time of presentation. In nine cases renal lymphoma was observed in the absence of detectable retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. Staging was rarely altered by the finding of renal lymphoma as 21 of the 23 patients had involvement of other extranodal sites in addition to the kidney. Survival did not appear to be adversely affected by the presence of renal lymphoma at the time of initial diagnosis. During the same period no cases of renal involvement were identified in patients with Hodgkin's disease, although one patient had perirenal involvement.

Aggressive lymphomas with renal involvement: a study of 48 patients treated with the LNH-84 and LNH-87 regimens

“…Our study excluded low-grade NHL. However, only 7% of NHLs with renal involvement are low-grade NHL (Glicklich et al, 1986;Richards et al, 1990).…”

“…Radiological criteria are sufficient to diagnose a renal lymphomatous involvement (Richards et al, 1990). CT scan usually reveals a homogeneous mass that shares the density of soft tissues, with a minimal enhancement after injection (Heiken et al, 1983).…”

“…This low incidence contrasts with the high prevalence (nearly 50%) of renal involvement found at autopsy (Wentzell & Berkheise, 1955;Martinez-Maldonado & Ramirez de Arellano, 1966;Lalli, 1969;Kandel et al, 1987;Richards et al, 1990). Until the introduction of computerised tomography (CT), renal involvement was often found late in the clinical course of NHL patients.…”

“…In clinical studies, the prevalence of renal involvement in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) ranges from 2.4% to 14% (Richmond et al, 1962;Strauss et al, 1983;Geffen et al, 1985;Richards et al, 1990). This low incidence contrasts with the high prevalence (nearly 50%) of renal involvement found at autopsy (Wentzell & Berkheise, 1955;Martinez-Maldonado & Ramirez de Arellano, 1966;Lalli, 1969;Kandel et al, 1987;Richards et al, 1990).…”

“…Most NHLs with renal involvement are aggressive (Richards et al, 1990). Previous reviews of renal lymphomas were retrospective studies that included patients who received various regimens (Geffen et al, 1985;Richards et al, 1990).…”