Case Report Open Access
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2021. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Oct 6, 2021; 9(28): 8557-8562
Published online Oct 6, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i28.8557
Disseminated soft tissue diffuse large B-cell lymphoma involving multiple abdominal wall muscles: A case report
Chang-Hoon Lee, So-Yeon Jeon, Ho-Young Yhim, Jae-Yong Kwak, Department of Internal Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54907, South Korea
ORCID number: Chang-Hoon Lee (0000-0002-1317-4646); So-Yeon Jeon (0000-0002-4792-5049); Ho-Young Yhim (0000-0002-1252-5336); Jae-Yong Kwak (0000-0002-8070-4002).
Author contributions: Lee CH wrote the manuscript; Jeon SY collected and validated data; Yhim HY revised manuscript; Kwak JY was in charge of patient treatment and designed the paper; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Informed consent statement: Informed written consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and accompanying images.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Jae-Yong Kwak, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, 20 Geonji-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju 54907, South Korea. jykwak@jbnu.ac.kr
Received: May 25, 2021
Peer-review started: May 25, 2021
First decision: June 15, 2021
Revised: June 23, 2021
Accepted: August 9, 2021
Article in press: August 9, 2021
Published online: October 6, 2021

Abstract
BACKGROUND

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and patients with DLBCL typically present rapidly growing masses. Lymphoma involving muscle is rare and accounts for only 5%; furthermore, multiple muscles and soft tissue involvement of DLBCL is unusual. Due to unusual clinical manifestation, accurate diagnosis could be delayed.

CASE SUMMARY

A 61-year-old man complained of swelling, pain and erythematous changes in the lower abdomen. Initially, soft tissue infection was suspected, however, skin lesion did not respond to antibiotics. 18Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography demonstrated FDG uptake not only in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen but also in the abdominal wall muscles, peritoneum, perineum, penis and testis. DLBCL was confirmed by biopsy of the abdominal wall muscle and subcutaneous tissue. After intensive treatment including chemotherapy with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone, central nervous system prophylaxis (intrathecal injection of methotrexate, cytarabine and hydrocortisone) and orchiectomy, he underwent peripheral blood stem cell mobilization for an autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Despite intensive treatment, the disease progressed rapidly and the patient showed poor outcome (overall survival, 9 mo; disease free survival, 3 mo).

CONCLUSION

The first clinical manifestation of soft tissue DLBCL involving multiple muscles was similar to the infection of the soft tissue.

Key Words: Primary extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Soft tissue lymphoma, Disseminated muscles and soft tissue invasion, Atypical presentation of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Central nervous system relapse, Case report

Core tip: The majority of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) initially present in lymph nodes as rapidly growing masses. Herein, we report an unusual case of DLBCL involving multiple muscles and soft tissue and appearing as soft tissue inflammation. Soft tissue biopsy was performed because there was no response to antibiotics, and DLBCL was confirmed. Despite aggressive chemotherapy and central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis, the disease recurred with CNS invasion and progressed rapidly. This case highlights that skin invasions of aggressive lymphoma should be considered if there is a soft tissue infection that is unresponsive to antibiotics or progresses rapidly.



INTRODUCTION

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common histologic subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and typically presents with rapidly growing lymph nodes in the neck or abdomen[1]. However, approximately 40% of DLBCL cases are initially present in extranodal sites, such as the gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system (CNS), breast, or testis. These are referred to as primary extranodal DLBCL[2,3]. Among them, lymphoma involving muscle accounts for only 5%; furthermore, multiple muscles and soft tissue involvement of DLBCL is unusual. Here, we report a case of soft tissue DLBCL disseminated to multiple abdominal wall muscles, skin, and subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen/perineum and scrotum. The first clinical manifestation was similar to that of soft tissue infection, and the disease progressed rapidly in a short period of time.

CASE PRESENTATION
Chief complaints

A 61-year-old man visited the emergency room complaining of lower abdominal wall swelling and pain.

History of present illness

The patient presented with a history of lower abdominal swelling and discomfort that started two weeks before admission and gradually worsened. He was examined at a primary medical center before visiting our hospital and was suspected of having soft tissue inflammation, such as Fournier gangrene or cellulitis.

History of past illness

The patient had no pertinent previous medical history.

Personal and family history

The patient did not have any relevant family history.

Physical examination

The lower abdomen, penis, and scrotum were edematous and the skin showed erythematous changes. He complained of mild pain on palpation.

Laboratory examinations

An initial laboratory test revealed that lactate dehydrogenase level of 1570 IU/L (normal range, 140-280 IU/L) and creatine kinase level of 1028 IU/L (normal range, 22-198 IU/L). The other blood test results were normal.

Imaging examinations

To evaluate the cause of the skin and genital lesions, a computed tomography (CT) scan was performed and soft tissue infiltration involving abdominal wall muscles, groin area, peritoneum, and retroperitoneal cavity was detected (Figure 1). Subsequently, 18Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-CT (18F-FDG PET-CT) was performed, and diffuse FDG uptake was detected throughout the abdominal wall muscles, skin, and subcutaneous tissue of the lower abdomen, peritoneum, perineum, anus, penis, testis, and cardia of the stomach (Figure 2).

Figure 1
Figure 1 Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan. Diffuse soft tissue infiltration is evident in abdominal wall muscles, skin and subcutaneous tissue of lower abdomen and scrotum (white arrows).
Figure 2
Figure 2 18Flouro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography. A-C: Axial images demonstrate fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake in cardia and upper body of stomach; D-F: Involvement of rectus abdominis, external/internal oblique muscles, transverse abdominis, iliacus muscle; G-I: Involvement of perineum, anus, penis, scrotum and testis; J and K: Maximum intensity projection images clearly demonstrate extensive soft tissue involvement.
FINAL DIAGNOSIS

A soft tissue infection was suspected and antibiotics were administered; however, the skin lesions did not improve. Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous biopsy of the abdominal muscles and endoscopic biopsy of the stomach were performed. DLBCL, not otherwise specified, germinal center B-cell like immunophenotype was confirmed (positive for CD20, CD10, BCL6, BCL2, and MYC). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis was conducted to determine whether it was a double-hit or triple-hit lymphoma, and MYC rearrangement was detected.

TREATMENT

The patient received six cycles of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) plus CNS prophylaxis (intrathecal injection of methotrexate, cytarabine, and hydrocortisone) and subsequently, underwent orchiectomy. Considering the aggressive nature of the disease, we planned an autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT), and peripheral blood stem cell mobilization with dexamethasone, cytarabine, and cisplatin was performed.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

Despite aggressive treatment, the disease recurred with CNS invasion one month after peripheral blood stem cell harvest. In subsequence to high-dose methotrexate therapy, three cycles of rituximab, ifosfamide, carboplatin, etoposide, and dexamethasone were administered as salvage therapy. Unfortunately, the patient died four weeks after salvage chemotherapy due to rapid disease progression. The overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 9 mo and 3 mo, respectively.

DISCUSSION

The patient initially presented with edema, pain, and erythematous changes in the lower abdomen and scrotum. Subsequently, soft tissue infection or inflammation was suspected and intravenous antibiotics were administered. However, the skin lesions did not show any improvement. CT revealed diffuse soft tissue infiltration in the lower abdomen and perineum; therefore, we assumed that an aggressive cancer, such as soft tissue sarcoma, arose from the abdominal wall. Subsequently, 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed, and diffuse FDG uptake in the abdominal wall muscles, including the rectus abdominis, external/internal oblique muscles, transverse abdominis, and iliacus muscles was detected. Additionally, 18F-FDG PET-CT revealed diffuse involvement of the skin and subcutaneous tissue in the lower abdomen, peritoneum, anus, penis, scrotum, testis, and stomach. Tissue samples were obtained from the abdominal wall muscle and stomach, and DLBCL was confirmed unexpectedly. Although some cases of muscle involvement of lymphoma, especially primary skeletal muscle DLBCL, have been reported to date[4-6], skeletal muscle involvement is rare and accounts for approximately 5% of extranodal lymphomas[7]. The most common sites of skeletal muscle lymphoma were the extremities and presented as painful and palpable masses. It is very rare and unusual that DLBCL initially presents as diffuse infiltration without mass formation in multiple skeletal muscles and soft tissues. This makes differentiating lymphoma from soft tissue infections challenging.

Ultrasonography is the most widely used medical imaging modality to evaluate abdominal pain or masses; however, ultrasonography features of lymphomas involving muscles are non-specific and heterogeneous. Ultrasonography shows an ill-defined hypoechoic solid mass with irregular or poorly defined margins, coarsening of fibro-adipose septa, and swelling of muscle bundles[8,9]. On the other hand, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered as the most useful modality to assess muscular lymphoma. Tumors show equal to slightly increased signal intensity on T1-weighted images and intermediate signal intensity compared with fat tissue on T2-weighted images. Diffuse homogeneous enhancement is usually demonstrated; however, peripheral, thick, band-like or marginal septal enhancement as well as thick irregular enhancement of both deep and superficial fascia may be found[10]. Therefore, further evaluation such as MRI is required if there is difficulty distinguishing soft tissue inflammation from lymphoma by ultrasound.

After six cycles of R-CHOP plus CNS prophylaxis, the case patient underwent orchiectomy, and peripheral blood stem cell mobilization was performed for auto-HSCT. However, despite aggressive and intensive therapy, the disease recurred with CNS invasion one month after stem cell mobilization. Although the patient received salvage therapy immediately; he died because of rapid disease progression. The overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 9 mo and 3 mo, respectively. DLBCL with testicular invasion is associated with poor outcomes and CNS relapse. After rituximab was introduced for the treatment of DLBCL, the eradication of systemic disease resulted in improvements, leading to a decrease in the risk of recurrence[11]. However, the rate of CNS relapse is still high, and treatment is challenging[12]. In the current patient, CNS relapse occurred despite receiving CNS prophylaxis. The underlying pathophysiology of DLBCL invading immune-privileged sites has been investigated to date. It has been observed that lymphoma cells invading immune-privileged sites can escape from host immunity owing to loss of human lymphocyte antigen expression on the tumor cell surface and high levels of somatic hypermutation in the immunoglobulin heavy chain genes[13]. Booman et al[14] reported that the tumor cells of primary DLBCL of immune-privileged sites share a mutation in the suppressor of p53 and apoptosis pathway. For these reasons, lymphoma involving immune-privilege sites is more aggressive than nodal disease. MYC rearrangement is an adverse prognostic factor and has been reported in 10% of DLBCL patients[15]. The 2 year overall survival of MYC rearrangement-positive patients was 35%, which was significantly lower than that of DLBCL patients without MYC rearrangement (67%)[15]. MYC rearrangement is also involved in double-hit or triple-hit lymphoma with BCL2 and BCL6 rearrangements. Since these high-grade lymphomas have a very poor prognosis, it is essential to evaluate the gene rearrangement of BCL2, BCL6, and MYC. This patient was also considered to have a double-hit or triple-hit lymphoma. However, we were not able to conduct BCL2 and BCL6, FISH, or next generation sequencing; a sufficient amount of tissue for mutation tests could not be obtained with core needle biopsy. Treatment had to be started immediately due to rapid progression; therefore, there was no time to complete additional biopsies.

CONCLUSION

In this report, we present an unusual case of DLBCL with diffuse muscle and soft tissue invasion which initially appeared to be soft tissue infection or inflammation. Due to unusual clinical manifestations, the first diagnosis was incorrect, and the disseminated extranodal invasion resulted in poor clinical outcomes. We suggest that skin invasions of aggressive lymphoma must be considered in differential diagnosis if there is a soft tissue infection that is unresponsive to antibiotics or progresses rapidly.

Footnotes

Manuscript source: Unsolicited manuscript

Specialty type: Medicine, research and experimental

Country/Territory of origin: South Korea

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P-Reviewer: Mu PY, Yi XL S-Editor: Wang LL L-Editor: A P-Editor: Guo X

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