The occurrence of sarcoidosis after treatment of nodal marginal B-cell zone lymphoma in a 56-year-old male: A case report from Syria

INTRODUCTION: Sarcoidosis is a chronic systematic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. Marginal zone lymphoma is a well-varied family of lymphomas that makes up to 10% of the overall non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The relationship between sarcoidosis and multiple diseases was mentioned repeatedly in the literature, whereas the relationship between sarcoidosis and marginal zone lymphoma was found rare. This case presents a 56-years-old man who was diagnosed with sarcoidosis after treatment of marginal zone lymphoma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old male presented to Tishreen University Hospital (TUH) Gastrointestinal department with abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of apetite, fever, and unintentional weight loss. Computerized tomography scan of the chest and abdomen, in addition to the excisional biopsy of the cervical nodes, were both highly suggestive of marginal zone lymphoma. After completing a course of chemotherapy, the patient returned with generalized abdominal discomfort, anorexia, and fatigue. Computerized tomography illustrated enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes in the chest and the abdomen. Microscopic examination of an abdominal lymph node revealed granulomatous lymphadenitis with sarcoidosis. Thereafter, the patient was managed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: We describe the occurrence of sarcoidosis after the treatment of marginal zone lymphoma. In most cases, sarcoidosis precedes lymphomas. This case emphasizes the evidence on the possible relationship between lymphomas and sarcoidosis, and attention should be sought towards any new manifestations throughout the follow-up of patients diagnosed with lymphomas toward sarcoidosis as part of our differential diagnosis.