Primary bone lymphoma (osteolymphoma)

Primary bone lymphoma: radiographic-MR imaging correlation

Primary bone lymphoma is an uncommon malignancy that accounts for less than 5% of all primary bone tumors. The radiographic appearances of primary bone lymphoma are variable, and, because the lesion can appear near normal on plain radiographs, a second modality such as bone scintigraphy or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging should be used. Despite this variability, the presence of a solitary, permeative, metadiaphyseal lesion with a layered periosteal reaction on plain radiographs and a soft-tissue mass on MR images, especially in a patient older than 30 years, is highly suggestive of lymphoma. The case for a diagnosis of primary bone lymphoma is further strengthened if the soft-tissue mass and marrow changes are associated with surprisingly little cortical destruction. Primary bone lymphoma has a better prognosis than many other malignant bone tumors; therefore, early identification allows for appropriate treatment. MR imaging not only permits early identification but also depicts the extent of soft-tissue involvement and can be used to assess the outcome of treatment.

Diagnosis of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, including multifocal osseous KI-1 lymphoma, by fine-needle aspiration biopsy

We present the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) findings of 4 cases of anaplastic (Ki-1) large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). A primary diagnosis of ALCL was made on FNA material in 2 cases, of which one was a multifocal osseous Ki-1 lymphoma. In the other 2 patients who had a known history of ALCL, FNA was used to detect recurrent disease. In all cases, large discohesive pleomorphic cells in the absence of lymphoglandular bodies in the background raised the possibility of a nonhematopoietic neoplasm. Immunochemical staining for CD30 was positive in all cases. The cytomorphologic and immunochemical features are discussed, along with the differential diagnosis of Ki-1 lymphoma. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:174-179.

Osteolymphoma (primary bone lymphoma): an Australian review of 70 cases. Australasian Radiation Oncology Lymphoma Group (AROLG)

BACKGROUND

To examine prognostic factors, treatment outcomes and design future studies for Osteolymphoma (OL)--also known as primary bone lymphoma.

METHODS

Between 1979 and 1993, 70 patients with OL were treated in nine Australian centres. The effect of patient-, tumour-, and treatment-related factors on local control, distant disease-free survival and overall survival were assessed by multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Most patients (94%) received radiotherapy (RT) (median dose 40 Gy) and 56% received chemotherapy. Multifocal disease was present in 20% of patients. The five year rates of overall survival and local control were 59% and 82%. Although there was a trend towards better results with the addition of chemotherapy, on multivariate analysis, there were no factors identified which appeared to impact upon overall and disease-free survival. Among the distant recurrences, there was a high proportion in bone (33%). Six patients suffered pathological fractures after treatment.

CONCLUSION

High rates of local control were achieved by RT, but the overall survival remains relatively poor, worse than nodal lymphoma. The natural history of the disease suggests that OL may be a distinct entity, different to nodal lymphomas, so the results of clinical trials in nodal lymphoma may not be relevant to OL. Prospective studies could define the outcome of combined modality therapy and set a benchmark for testing further proposals, as well as improving our knowledge of the clinical features of OL.