Massive splenomegaly due to B-cell lymphoma: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Massive splenomegaly is indicated by spleen weight exceeding 1000 g and largest spleen dimension greater than 20 cm Poulin et al. (1998). In many cases, splenectomy is the treatment of choice for massive splenomegaly because it releases the pressure on adjacent organs and also provides a definitive histopathological diagnosis of the underlying cause Iriyama et al. (2010), Radhakrishnan (2018). PRESENTATION OF CASE: Herein we present a clinical case of disseminated diffuse large B – cell lymphoma, clinical stage IV, with massive splenomegaly. A 53 – year old man complaining of unintentional major weight loss, palpable abdominal mass in the left hemiabdomen and cervical lymphadenopathy, was admited to Department of abdominal surgery, UMC Ljubljana. Abdominal CT scan showed massive spleen, enlarged retroperitoneal and upper mediastinal lymph nodes and cervical lymphadenopathy. Splenectomy was performed and spleen was sent on histological analysis. Operation and postoperative course were uneventful. Spleen specimen weighed 5034 g (6% of patient body weight) and measured 33 × 24 × 10 cm. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis set the diagnosis of diffuse large B – cell lymphoma. Patients received 5 cycluses of R-CHOP chemotherapy and 2 cycluses of prophylactic intrathecal chemotherapy postoperatively. DISCUSSION: Splenomegaly in combination with weight loss and malaise is very suggestive of underlying neoplastic condition and therefore requires further diagnostic investigations Han et al. (2008). Splenectomy in combination with adjuvant chemotherapy is the treatment of choice in case of spleen infiltration rith tumorous cells of B-cell lymphoma. However there are other possibilities in diagnosing and treatment of massive splenomegaly, including percutaneous image guided splenic needle biopsy and splenic artery embolisation prior to splenectomy. CONCLUSION: Our aim with this case report is to present splenectomy in conjuction with chemotherapy as a safe option of treatment for massive splenomegaly due to B-cell lymphoma infiltration.