Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder and management of residual mass post chemotherapy: Case report

INTRODUCTION: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a rare complication. It represents a spectrum of lymphoid proliferations which occur in the setting of immunosuppression and organ transplantation. There are no reported cases or recommendations for the treatment of residual masses post rituximab of PTLD. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A patient with a long standing history of immunosuppression due to multiple kidney transplants starting in 1979, presented with a very large palpable hard abdominal mass (2004) after a fourth renal transplant. There was a past history of heavy immune suppression. CT scans revealed a conglomerate mass involving the right native kidney and two prior right sided renal allografts that crossed the midline. Biopsy of the large right retroperitoneal mass revealed large B cell lymphoma (CD 20 positive); consistent with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). DISCUSSION: Management of bulky PTLD, in a highly sensitized, heavily immune suppressed patient is not well described in the literature. The mainstay of therapy is IR and Ritixumab (R) monotherapy and combination R-CHOP. CHOP chemotherapy has an associated mortality rate of up to 38%. Radiotherapy is often considered over surgery and surgery has been most frequently used when associated with bowel complications. In this case report we describe upfront Ritiximab followed by consolidation resection and cytotoxic chemotherapy as a management strategy to reduce toxicity. CONCLUSION: The approach taken by our surgical team illustrates the benefits of disease debulking in certain cases of PTLD, by guiding further therapy and spacing and reducing chemotherapy in immune suppressed patients.