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Peripheral T-cell lymphoma arising in the liver
Mirela Stancu1, Dan Jones, Francisco Vega
1Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
American Journal of Clinical Pathology
|October 12, 2002
Summary
Primary hepatic peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is rare but treatable. Early diagnosis and multiagent chemotherapy offer potential cures for this liver cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Hematology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a group of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
- Primary hepatic PTCL is an exceptionally rare manifestation of this disease.
Observation:
- Three male patients aged 50-57 presented with systemic symptoms and hepatomegaly.
- Liver enzyme abnormalities, jaundice, and imaging findings varied, including hepatomegaly and tumor masses.
- Histopathology revealed heterogeneous tumor infiltrates with an inflammatory background, complicating diagnosis.
Findings:
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed T-cell lineage in all cases.
- Monoclonal T-cell receptor gamma chain gene rearrangements were identified in two patients.
- One patient experienced rapid disease progression, while two achieved remission with chemotherapy.
Implications:
- Primary hepatic PTCL, though rare, is a distinct clinicopathologic entity.
- Prompt diagnosis and multiagent chemotherapy can lead to long-term remission and potential cure.
- This case series highlights the importance of considering PTCL in liver disease differentials.