Pulmonary lymphoma identified as a result of low-dose CT screening for lung cancer

To describe the frequency and findings of pulmonary lymphoma in asymptomatic people undergoing computed tomographic (CT) screening for lung cancer.

All lymphoma diagnoses resulting from CT screening of 31 567 at-risk subjects (median age, 61 years) were identified, and the CT images were reviewed to document the lesions as to number, location, density, shape, and margin. The presence of lymphadenopathy and pleural effusion was also documented.

Five patients with pulmonary lymphoma were identified. The lymphoma was a B-cell lymphoma in three, Hodgkin's lymphoma in one, and malignant lymphoma in one; it was primary in four and secondary in one. One patient had two lesions; the other four patients each had one lesion. Four of the six lesions were a mass, and two were a nodule. Four of the lesions had irregular margins. Air bronchograms were seen in three. Growth assessment was useful in leading to decisions for biopsy.

In a context of CT screening to detect lung cancer in asymptomatic volunteers, the diagnosis of pulmonary lymphoma was rare but, nevertheless, occurred in five (.016%) of 31 567 volunteers.