Secondary Cardiac Involvement From Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma: A Case Report

Abstract

The cardiac localization of metastases is a rare condition, most often found on autopsy. Lymphoma is among the primary cancers often involved, as was the case for our patient in whom cardiac involvements were discovered during the extension assessment by imaging. Clinically asymptomatic in the majority of cases, we mainly find general symptoms related to the primary disease. Because histological diagnosis is rarely possible by biopsy, confirmation is made by imaging in the context of disseminated disease. The treatment of cardiac involvements of lymphomatous origin is often medical with a poor prognosis.

Regression of Cardiac Lymphoma With Chemotherapy

“…Conversely, myocardial inflammation as the first manifestation of a lymphoproliferative process is described in some case reports, usually associated with ventricular dysfunction and its complications, such as arrhythmias 2 or heart failure 3 ; chest pain is not a common first presentation. Secondary cardiac involvement from lymphoma is a relatively frequent occurrence, reported in up to 25% of patients 4 ; this incidence is probably underestimated because of a high percentage of asymptomatic cases. Myocardial involvement of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is often detected during autopsy; however, the development of cardiac symptoms is extremely rare, with only 7 registered cases.…”