Lymphoma and the Kidney: A Kidney Biopsy Teaching Case

Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the kidney: A rare case report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Lymphoma can either be Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin (NHL) with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBL) being a type of the latter with an aggressive behavior. Although it is common for NHL to involve the kidney in its advanced stages, disease that primarily originates from the kidney is rare and therefore poses a diagnostic challenge.

CASE PRESENTATION

We presented a case of NHL that was initially thought to be Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) but later confirmed histologically to be diffuse large B cell Lymphoma. The patient was kept on doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone. However, on day five of the treatment he succumbed.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Lymphoma can be broadly grouped into Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Primary kidney lymphoma accounts for <1 % with non-specific symptoms hence can be challenging in the diagnosis. Biopsy yields in the diagnosis and management is primarily chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

This case reminds health care professional on the possibility of having primary Lymphoma of the kidney in a patients with renal mass. Treatment of lymphoma is different from RCC, a common renal malignancy in adult. Therefore, tissue biopsy for definitive diagnosis is mandatory before initiation of treatment.

Tumor lysis syndrome, acute kidney injury and disease-free survival in critically ill patients requiring urgent chemotherapy

Background

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a life-threatening complication during the treatment of malignant neoplasia. We sought to describe characteristics and predictors of acute kidney injury (AKI), remission and mortality in high-risk TLS patients. In this retrospective monocentric study, we included all patients with the diagnosis of biological and/or clinical TLS from 2012 to 2018. The primary outcome was the prevalence of AKI during the acute phase of TLS. Secondary outcomes were overall mortality and remission of the underlying malignancy at 1 year.

Results

Among 153 patients with TLS, 123 (80.4%) patients experienced AKI and 83 (54.2%) required renal replacement therapy. mSOFA score (OR = 1.15, IC 95% [1.02–1.34]), age (OR = 1.05, IC 95% [1.02–1.08]) and male gender (OR = 6.79, IC 95% [2.59–19.44]) were associated with AKI. Rasburicase use (HR = 2.45, IC 95% [1.17–5.15]) was associated with remission of the underlying malignancy at 1 year. Parameters associated with mortality at 1 year were mechanical ventilation (HR = 1.96, IC 95% [1.02–3.78]), vasopressors (HR = 3.13, IC 95% [1.59–6.15]), age (HR = 1.02, IC 95% [1–1.03]), spontaneous TLS (HR = 1.65, IC 95% [1.01–2.69]) and delay of chemotherapy administration (HR = 1.01, IC 95% [1–1.03]).

Conclusions

AKI is highly prevalent in TLS patients. Rasburicase is associated with better outcomes regarding remission of the underlying malignancy. As rasburicase may be an indirect marker of a high degree of tumor lysis and chemosensitivity, more studies are warranted to confirm the protective role of urate oxidase. Delaying chemotherapy may be deleterious in terms of long-term outcomes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13613-022-00990-1.