Type two or localized endobronchial non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Mediastinal lymph node involvement is common in non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Tracheobronchial tree involvement by non-Hodgkin lymphoma is rare.
• Localized primary endobronchial lymphoma confined to the tracheobronchial tree without dissemination (type-2) is exceptionally rare.

Observation:

• The case involves a patient diagnosed with endobronchial lymphoma, visualized through chest X-ray, CT, and FDG PET imaging.
• The lymphoma was confined to the tracheobronchial tree without dissemination, classifying it as type-2.
• The patient had a 10-year history of rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate.

Findings:

• The study presents imaging findings of a rare type-2 endobronchial diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
• This specific presentation of DLBCL is extremely rare.
• The case highlights a potential, though infrequently documented, association between type-2 endobronchial lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis, and methotrexate therapy.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of rare lymphoma presentations.
• It underscores the importance of considering iatrogenic or co-morbidity associations in lymphoma diagnosis.
• Further research may explore the specific mechanisms linking rheumatoid arthritis, methotrexate, and this rare subtype of lymphoma.