A Rare Case of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Presenting as a Cardiac Mass

Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma Presenting as a Cardiac Mass

Cardiac involvement as the initial presentation of lymphoma is a rare occurrence. The most common type of cardiac lymphoma is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), which often affects the right atrium. Cardiac lymphoma can either be mediastinal DLBCL invading the heart or primary cardiac lymphoma. We describe the case of an 84-year-old female who presented with an eight-week history of dyspnea. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the chest showed a right-sided pleural effusion with collapse of the right middle and lower lobes as well as a large mass-like density within the anterior pericardium, compressing the right atrium and right ventricle and encasing the right coronary artery. A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed a multilocular hypoechoic mass in the right atrium with invasion into the wall of the right atrium. The patient underwent diagnostic and therapeutic thoracentesis. Pleural fluid cytology revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, with positive stains for CD20, PAX5, CD10, BCL6, and Mum-1. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed an abnormality of BCL2/18q (16%). A staging positron emission tomography (PET) scan showed a large mediastinal mass involving the right pericardium, focal uptake in the left thyroid lobe, left skull base, and musculature around the proximal left femur. Chemotherapy was initiated with R-mini-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone). PET scans after three cycles of chemotherapy showed a complete metabolic response with the resolution of previously noted hypermetabolic lesions. The patient completed all six cycles of chemotherapy without issues. The differential diagnosis of a right atrial cardiac mass should include lymphoma. TTE is usually the initial imaging test, and a tissue biopsy is required for a definitive diagnosis. DLBCL is highly aggressive and carries a poor prognosis if untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment with standard chemotherapy are crucial for favorable outcomes.

Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma With Cardiac Invasion Presented as Acute Myocardial Infarction and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: A Case Report

Primary cardiac lymphoma is an exceedingly rare malignant tumor, with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) being the most prevalent histological subtype. This disease has non-specific clinical manifestations, making early diagnosis crucial. However, DLBCL diagnosis is commonly delayed, and its prognosis is typically poor. Herein, we report the case of a 51-year-old male patient with DLBCL who presented with recurrent chest tightness for 4 months as the primary clinical symptom. The patient was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction and left ventricular hypertrophy with heart failure. Echocardiography revealed a progression from left ventricular thickening to local pericardial thickening and adhesion in the inferior and lateral walls of the left ventricle. Finally, pathological analysis of myocardial biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of DLBCL. After treatment with the R-CHOP chemotherapy regimen, the patient's chest tightness improved, and he was discharged. After 2 months, the patient succumbed to death owing to sudden ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and decreased blood pressure despite rescue efforts. Transthoracic echocardiography is inevitable for the early diagnosis of DLBCL, as it can narrow the differential and guide further investigations and interventions, thereby improving the survival of these patients.

The role of cardiac CT and MRI in the diagnosis and management of primary cardiac lymphoma: A comprehensive review

Primary cardiac tumors comprise a distinct category of disorders that result in significant cardiac complications. Primary cardiac lymphomas (PCLs) constitute the second most frequent primary malignancy involving the heart. Without treatment, survival may be limited to just a few months; however, a timely therapeutic schedule may prolong the five-year survival. Accordingly, robust diagnostic modalities are essential to improve prognosis. We herein review the literature available in PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Google Scholar and Scopus databases. Our review demonstrated that cardiac computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) employ multiple advanced sequences for tumor characterization with or without a contrast agent. These methods assist not only in differentiating PCLs from other cardiac masses such as cardiac thrombi but also in defining the extent of PCLs and conducting a safe biopsy. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and CT imaging provide essential knowledge regarding PCLs and cardiotoxicity induced by therapeutic regimens. The application of these robust imaging modalities aids in the early diagnosis of PCLs, accelerates the initiation of the treatment program, and improves patient outcomes significantly. Also presented is our introduction into novel techniques and the feasibility of their use to diagnose and treat cardiac masses, particularly PCLs. It should be mentioned that the paramount role of FDG-PET was not the focus of this paper.