<B>Lymphoma </B>

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Lymphoma

Etiology:

• Unknown

Pathogenesis:

• Theoretically, the result of a mutated neoplastic lymphocyte proliferating as a clone.
• Possible occurrence in immunosuppressed persons.

Epidemiology:

• The heart is involved by metastatic cancers and lymphomas in 5-10% of cases.
• Primary lymphomas of the heart (
• without involvement of lymph nodes or other organs) are rare.

General Gross Description:

• May involve any and all layers of the heart and any and all chambers of the heart.
• A mass thickening or distortion of the shape of involved anatomy.
• The cut surface appears either white or shades of gray to light tan, depending on cytological features.
• Tumor cells with sparse cytoplasm appear white; other shades vary with amount and features of cytoplasm.

General Microscopic Description:

• The histology is that of the spectrum of Hodgkins disease and non-Hodgkins lymphomas.

Clinical Correlations:

• Arrhythmias are the most common sign of cardiac involvement, as with any metastatic cancers.
• Visceral and/or parietal pericardial involvement cause effusions which are usually hemorrhagic.
• Impaired cardiac output possible due to restrictive myocardial infiltration.
• Mass lesions causing obstruction of blood flow are rare.

References:
•1. Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. Cotran, RS, et al. 5th Edition. 1994. pp. 569-571 and 633-666.