Large cell lymphoma with initial presentation in the bone marrow

This report describes 14 cases of large cell lymphoma with initial presentation as marrow involvement in the absence of peripheral lymphadenopathy. The disease affected mainly the middle-aged and elderly, with male predominance. Most patients presented with swinging fever and peripheral blood cytopenia. Reactive hemophagocytic syndrome was a common finding, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Peripheral lymphadenopathy was absent (by case selection), but involvement of the liver, spleen and paraaortic lymph nodes could be demonstrated in some cases. However, in some patients, the involvement was apparently restricted to the bone marrow. Involvement of the bone marrow was often subtle, and could be missed on causal examination. Immunohistochemical studies on eight cases showed that four exhibited a B-cell phenotype, three a T-cell phenotype and one a non-T non-B phenotype. The prognosis was poor, with survival being measured in days to weeks in most patients.