Primary vitreoretinal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma with breast involvement: A case report and review of the literature

Surv Ophthalmol. 2019 Mar-Apr;64(2):225-232. doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2018.10.003. Epub 2018 Oct 13.

Abstract

A 50-year-old woman developed recurrent vitreous opacities in her left eye. The first diagnostic vitrectomy revealed no significant abnormality. Optical coherence tomography showed multiple high-density reflective nodules. The ratio of interleukin-6 to interleukin-10 was over 1 in her aqueous humor, and Epstein-Barr virus was present. A conventional immunohistochemistry examination of vitrectomy specimens was diffusely positive for CD2, CD3, and Ki-67. Highly metabolic nodules were found in her right breast on positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan. Immunohistochemistry of the breast biopsy was suggestive of natural killer/T-cell lymphoma. Considering the homology between the two lesions, combined with ancillary cytokine, cytology, and flow cytometry findings, the final diagnosis was primary vitreoretinal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma with involvement of the breast. The lymphoma resolved with chemotherapy, intravitreal injection of methotrexate, and ocular radiotherapy. This case shows that primary vitreoretinal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma can present with concomitant systemic involvement. We reviewed relevant published literature and summarized some new approaches that make the diagnosis easier and faster; however, the cytopathologic analysis of intraocular fluid is irreplaceable. An effective treatment strategy is still a matter of speculation.

Keywords: Epstein-Barr virus; NK/T-cell lymphoma; immunohistochemistry; interleukin; optical coherence tomography; primary vitreoretinal lymphoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Aqueous Humor / virology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Viral / diagnosis
  • Eye Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Eye Neoplasms / pathology
  • Eye Neoplasms / therapy
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intraocular Lymphoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Intraocular Lymphoma / pathology*
  • Intraocular Lymphoma / therapy
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Radiotherapy
  • Retinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Retinal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Retinal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Vitrectomy
  • Vitreous Body / diagnostic imaging
  • Vitreous Body / pathology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor