Scalp tumour as a sign of systemic B-cell lymphoma

Secondary cutaneous involvement by direct extension in high-grade B-cell lymphomas

Cutaneous involvement by a systemic lymphoma via direct extension is a very rare phenomenon, historically described in patients who had advanced-stage disease with bulky lymphadenopathy. Since its original description, most cases of cutaneous lymphomatous spread via direct extension are attributable to Hodgkin disease. Here, we report the occurrence of direct cutaneous dissemination in the setting of nodal high-grade B-cell lymphomas, specifically diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between DLBCL and classical Hodgkin lymphoma (also called gray-zone lymphoma). Both cases are adequately documented with clinical, histopathologic, and immunophenotypic data, as well as additional cytogenetic analysis.

A 92-year-old man with primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma manifesting as a giant scalp mass: A case report

RATIONALE

Primary cutaneous non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is an uncommon entity, representing 10% of all extranodal NHLs. Among all cutaneous sites, the scalp is a rare site of representation.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 92-year-old Chinese man visited our hospital with a multiple-nodular huge scalp mass on the right parieto-occipital regions. The mass was of 7-month duration and progressively enlarging in size.

DIAGNOSES

On the basis of the result of biopsy, diffuse large B-cell NHL was diagnosed.

INTERVENTIONS

The mass was partially resected by surgery and no further treatment was conducted due to the advanced age and poor physical status.

OUTCOMES

The tumor relapsed in situ after 6 months and the patient died after 2 years.

LESSONS

This case highlighted the limited access to standard treatment options in patients with advanced age. A thorough examination is necessary to decide upon the treatment for the primary cutaneous lymphoma.

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the skull with extra and intracranial extension presenting with bulky scalp mass lesion

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the cranium with extra- and intracranial extension without systemic or skeletal manifestation in a non-immunocompromised patient is extremely rare. These lesions are most of the time misdiagnosed because they mimic other conditions like meningioma. Here, we report a case presented with huge bulky scalp mass which on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain showed involvement of scalp, cranial vault, meninges, and the brain parenchyma, mimicking a meningioma. After gross total resection, biopsy and CD marker study revealed primary non-Hodgkin's diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Malignant NHL should be considered in differential diagnosis of bulky scalp mass lesion.

Follicular lymphoma of the dura associated with meningioma: A case report and review of the literature

A 70-year-old immunocompetent woman who had been radiologically diagnosed with a left parasagittal meningioma 5 years previously developed a palpable subgaleal mass and underwent neurosurgery. Histologically the tumor was composed of thickened fibrotic dural tissue, infiltrated by a follicular lymphoma, of grade IIIB. A coexistent transitional meningioma had been infiltrated by the neoplastic lymphoid tissue. Two months after surgery, the patient developed evidence of extracranial dissemination of the lymphoma to the cervical lymph nodes and was treated with polychemotherapy plus Rituximab and intrathecal methotrextate. The patient is alive and recurrence-free at 1-year follow up. A review of the literature indicates that lymphomas developing primarily in the meninges, have an indolent course and tend to be localized in areas rich in meningothelial cells.