Primary Bone Lymphoma of the Scapula

Abstract

Primary bone lymphoma of the scapula is a rare tumor that usually causes local pain. The presented patient suffered for two years from paresthesia, tingling, numbness, and edema of the little and ring fingers. The 45-year-old man underwent several radiological and neurological assessments of the palm, elbow, and neck before radiographs revealed a tumor of the left shoulder. Once diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was confirmed, immunochemotherapy with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and methylprednisolone (R-CHOP) started. The treatment was accompanied by antiviral treatment with lamivudine due to positive hepatitis B virus serology, specifically anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface) antibody, total anti-HBc (hepatitis B core) antibody, and anti-HBe (hepatitis B e antigen) antibody, together with bisphosphonate treatment for the prevention of bone resorption. Once immunochemotherapy was finished, the treatment was supplemented by radiotherapy of the shoulder. After more than three years of remission, the patient had an ischemic stroke manifesting with right-sided hemiparesis. Following physical therapy, the patient is currently in the process of evaluation for thrombophilia, as well as further cardiac assessment due to the positive transcranial Doppler bubble test, setting high suspicion for the presence of patent foramen ovale.

Keywords

• primary bone lymphoma
• scapula
• diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
• immunochemotherapy
• radiotherapy