Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and coexisting primary cancers - A retrospective clinical analysis of 10 patients

The simultaneous occurrence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and primary cance rs is rare, and the treatment strategy for both malignancies is unclear. Th e authors analyzed the clinical records of 10 patients with NHL and coexist ing primary cancers. All patients initially had symptoms of NHL, and all ca rcinomas were found at the initial workup of NHL by chance. The most common primary sites of coexisting cancers were the stomach (six patients) and th e colon (two). Histologically, the majority of NHLs were intermediate grade , and all lesions were B-cell type. All primary cancers were adenocarcinoma . Initially, NHL was treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Six primary cancers were resected surgically or endoscopically after the remission of NHL. The remaining four patients received no treatment for primary cancers because of advanced stages or early relapse of NHL. Three patients died of NHL, one died of cancer, and six were still alive: five without evidence of disease and one with disease. The authors conclude that early detection of a coexisting cancer and appropriate treatment after the remission of NHL m ay increase the possibility of a cure.