Cardiac involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: with and without HIV infection

Nazim Uddin Azam Khan1, Sagir Ahmed, Peter Wagner

  • 1Division of Cardiology, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville, NC 27858, USA. khann@mail.ecu.edu

Insights

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) increases cardiac lymphoma risk. Early detection of cardiac lymphoma, often missed due to vague symptoms, is crucial for better outcomes in patients with and without HIV.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is associated with an increased incidence of primary and secondary cardiac lymphomas.
  • Cardiac involvement in lymphoma, particularly in the context of HIV, often presents with non-specific symptoms, leading to delayed or missed diagnoses.

Observation:

  • This report details two cases of cardiac B-cell lymphoma.
  • One patient had a history of AIDS, while the other was HIV-negative, highlighting varied presentations.

Findings:

  • Prognosis for HIV-associated cardiac non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is generally poor, with limited survival rates.
  • Chemotherapy can induce remission in some individuals with cardiac lymphoma.

Implications:

  • Increased awareness and diagnostic vigilance for cardiac lymphoma in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals are warranted.
  • Further research into early diagnostic markers and treatment strategies for cardiac lymphoma is essential.

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