An Atypical relapsing follicular lymphoma to composite Hodgkin's lymphoma

BMJ Case Rep. 2023 Dec 28;16(12):e254475. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2022-254475.

Abstract

Composite lymphoma is defined as two or more lymphomas with distinct morphological and immunophenotypical characteristics synchronously diagnosed at the same anatomical site. Composite lymphoma is rare, and the most common combination is follicular lymphoma (FL) associated with diffuse large B cell lymphoma, followed by FL associated with classic Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). Histologically, composite lymphomas display a mixed pattern or distinct zonal distribution of each lymphoma component. Composite lymphoma poses a diagnostic challenge, especially when two lymphoma components are mixed in the same lymph node. Here, we report a case of composite HL and FL 11 years after initial and repeat biopsies consistent with FL in a man in his 70s emphasising the importance of repeat biopsy in lymphoma diagnosis.

Keywords: Haematology (incl blood transfusion); Oncology; Pathology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Composite Lymphoma* / diagnosis
  • Hodgkin Disease* / diagnosis
  • Hodgkin Disease* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Follicular* / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, Follicular* / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse* / pathology
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local