Published January 30, 2026 | Version v1
Journal article Open

T-Cell–Rich B-Cell Lymphoma Presenting as Splenic-Dominant Disease Mimicking Malignancy of Unknown Origin: A Case Report

  • 1. International Journal of Medical Science and Innovative Research (IJMSIR)

Description

Abstract

T-cell–rich B-cell lymphoma (TCRBCL) is a rare variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma that often presents at an advanced stage and poses significant diagnostic challenges. We report a case of a 69-year-old male who presented with splenomegaly and multiple hypodense splenic lesions on contrast-enhanced computed tomography, along with borderline abdominal lymphadenopathy and gastric antral wall thickening, initially raising suspicion of malignancy of unknown origin. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was normal, and splenic biopsy was not feasible due to bleeding risk. Whole-body ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT revealed widespread FDG-avid nodal disease, splenic lesions, and extensive bone marrow involvement. Definitive diagnosis was established by excision biopsy of cervical lymphadenopathy, confirming T-cell–rich B-cell lymphoma. The patient was treated with standard R-CHOP chemotherapy and showed good clinical response. This case highlights the diagnostic dilemma of splenic-dominant disease and emphasizes the role of PET-CT and safe nodal biopsy in establishing the diagnosis.

Files

PRASHANT.pdf

Files (949.2 kB)

Name Size Download all
md5:2bc3f8aa39892d3b912be6b0ce7112e6
949.2 kB Preview Download

Additional details

References

  • 1. Lam KY, Tang V. Metastatic tumors to the spleen: a 25-year clinicopathologic study. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2000;124(4):526–30. 2. Skarin AT, Dorfman DM. Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: current classification and management. CA Cancer J Clin. 1997;47(6):351–72. 3. Aozasa K, Ohsawa M, Yamabe H, et al. T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma: a variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Am J Surg Pathol. 1993;17(2):123–32. 4. Cheson BD, Fisher RI, Barrington SF, et al. Recommendations for initial evaluation, staging, and response assessment of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: the Lugano classification. J Clin Oncol. 2014;32(27):3059–68. 5. Paes FM, Kalkanis DG, Sideras PA, Serafini AN. FDG PET/CT of extranodal involvement in non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin disease. Radiographics. 2010;30(1):269–91. 6. Barrington SF, Mikhaeel NG, Kostakoglu L, et al. Role of imaging in the staging and response assessment of lymphoma: consensus of the International Conference on Malignant Lymphomas Imaging Working Group. J Clin Oncol. 2014;32(27):3048–58. 7. Barrington SF, Trotman J. The role of PET in the first-line treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Blood. 2021;138(26):2589–98. 8. Albano D, Bosio G, Pagani C, et al. Prognostic role of baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2020;47(8):1859–71.