Primary pancreatic peripheral T-cell lymphoma: A case report

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Hematology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Primary pancreatic lymphoma (PPL) is an exceptionally rare malignancy.
• PPL presents with nonspecific symptoms, mimicking other pancreatic diseases.
• Chemotherapy is the established primary treatment for PPL.

Observation:

• A case study details a 62-year-old woman with pancreatic head mass symptoms.
• Positron emission tomography-computed tomography indicated a pancreatic mass.
• Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration confirmed pancreatic peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS).

Findings:

• A single cycle of chemotherapy (brentuximab vedotin, decitabine, oxaliplatin) significantly reduced the pancreatic mass.
• Radiological findings showed marked improvement after the first chemotherapy cycle.
• EUS-FNA with immunostaining is crucial for diagnosing PPL, distinguishing it from other pancreatic conditions.

Implications:

• PTCL-NOS of the pancreas is a challenging diagnosis with a poor prognosis.
• Chemotherapy is the recommended treatment; surgical resection is not advised.
• CD30-targeted therapies, like brentuximab vedotin, show therapeutic potential, necessitating further research for improved patient outcomes.