Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma

Abstract

We analysed clinical and immunological features of 71 patients with primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma. Disease stages were determined according to Ann Arbor staging system. Immunological type of lymphoma was defined using monoclonal antibodies to T- and B-cell lymphocytic markers, and some other antigens in frozen sections or paraffin embedded biopsies blocks.Diagnosis of primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma was confirmed by immunomorphologic study in 54 cases or by clinical and morphologic features in 17 cases.Gender distribution was equal. Median age was 36 (range 16—66) years. B-symptoms were detected in 35%, superior vena cava syndrome — in 42% patients.Distinctive clinical feature depends on the tumor growth in anterior-superior mediastinum with frequent involvement of lungs, pleura, and pericardium. In some cases we observed involvement of neck, supraclavicular and axillary lymph nodes, soft tissues of chest anterior surface as well as kidney, suprarenal gland and bones.Immunologic properties were presented by absence of СD10 and CD21 antigens, expression of CD23 in 29% of patients and CD 38 in 56%, absence of expression HLA-DR in 20% patients.МАСОР-В or R-СНОР regimens may be the first line therapy in this patient population.

Keywords

• primary mediastinal large b-cell lymphoma
• tumor of anterior-superior mediastinum