CASE REPORT: Primary hepatic lymphoma associated with chronic liver disease

• Published in: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 1997-03, Vol.12 (3), p.237-242
• Main Authors: HIGUCHI, TAKAKAZU, NOMOTO, KAZUHIKO, MORI, HIRAKU, NIIKURA, HARUO, OMINE, MITSUHIRO, SEKIYAMA, KAZUHIKO, YOSHIBA, MAKOTO, FUJITA, RIKIYA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; chronic hepatitis; hepatitis C; Hepatitis C - complications; Hepatitis, Chronic - complications; Humans; liver cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms - complications; Liver Neoplasms - diagnosis; Liver Neoplasms - pathology; Lymphoma - complications; Lymphoma - diagnosis; Lymphoma - pathology; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin - complications; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin - diagnosis; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin - pathology; Male; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; primary hepatic lymphoma; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0815-9319; 1440-1746
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.1997.tb00415.x

We report on a case of primary hepatic lymphoma that developed in a patient with chronic hepatitis C. Given that Japan is an area endemic for both hepatitis B and C viruses, we reviewed 51 Japanese cases of primary hepatic lymphoma, addressing the question as to whether the Japanese cases have unique characteristics and whether there is a causal relationship to the presence of chronic liver disease. Primary hepatic lymphoma most commonly affected middle‐aged males. Presenting symptoms and physical findings were non‐specific. Aminotransferases tended to stay in the low range compared with marked increases in lactate dehydrogenase. Sixteen patients (31%) had chronic liver disease, eight had liver cirrhosis and eight had chronic hepatitis, suggesting that there is a possible aetiological link between chronic liver disease and primary hepatic lymphoma.