Primary T-cell lymphoma of liver

Primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL) is rare and represents approximately 0.016% of all cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The majority of these are B-cell NHL of diffuse large B-cell type. Primary T-cell lymphoma constitutes approximately 5-10% of all PHLs arising in the liver, 90% being B-cell type. Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, γδ hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma and αβ hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma are the common T-cell lymphomas involving hepatic parenchyma. We encountered a case presenting with gross hepatomegaly extending beyond umbilicus, mild ascites, pedal oedema, icterus and dyspnoea. Haemogram showed moderate anaemia with counts. Bone marrow aspiration showed erythroid hyperplasia with dimorphic anaemia. There was no evidence of atypical lymphoid cells in peripheral blood of bone marrow. We present a rare case of primary T-cell lymphoma presenting as primary liver involvement without splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, bone marrow or peripheral blood involvement.