Composite lymphoma: report of a unique case

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Composite lymphomas involving multiple distinct lymphoma subtypes within the same organ are exceptionally rare.
• Previous reports document only 22 cases, each featuring two distinct lymphomas.

Observation:

• This case presents a unique instance of composite lymphoma.
• The patient exhibited three distinct non-Hodgkin's lymphomas within the spleen and abdominal lymph nodes.

Findings:

• The lymphomas were classified using Rappaport's nomenclature.
• The presence of three separate non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in a single anatomical region is unprecedented.

Implications:

• This case expands the known spectrum of composite lymphoma complexity.
• Highlights the importance of thorough pathological examination for diagnosing rare hematologic malignancies.
• May inform future diagnostic and classification approaches for complex lymphoma presentations.