Pyothorax-associated lymphoma: complete remission achieved by chemotherapy alone

We present the case of a patient with malignant lymphoma resulting from chronic pyothorax after artificial pneumothorax for pulmonary tuberculosis. The 81-year-old female patient had a medical history of artificial pneumothorax from left pulmonary tuberculosis when she was 23 years old and subsequent chronic pyothorax. She had become aware of pain in the left back from October 2008. Chest computed tomography revealed a tumor measuring 61 mm × 27 mm behind the left sixth and seventh ribs. After biopsy revealed pyothorax-associated lymphoma, 4 courses of R-CHOP therapy were administered, leading to complete remission. No recurrences were noted during follow-up over a 4-year period after the initiation of therapy.