Primary hepatic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a patient with chronic hepatitis C

Epidemiological and experimental data suggest that the hepatitis C virus in fection might be associated with the development of distinct types of non-H odgkin's lymphomas. Here, we report a case of a patient with chronic hepati tis C and type II mixed cryoglobulinemia, who developed a primary hepatic n on-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. A diffuse, large B-cell lymphoma was diagnose d based on morphological, immunophenotypical and molecular genetic findings . Hepatitis C virus replication, as evaluated by strand-specific reverse tr anscriptase-polymerase chain reaction, was detected in the nonneoplastic li ver, but not in the lymphomatous tissue. High grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas , although rare complications, have to be considered as part of the spectru m of hepatitis C virus-related hepatic lesions.