Abstract

The spleen is the primary organ of lymphoma in only 1–2 % of all lymphoma patients. We presented three cases of primary splenic involvement of lymphoma that were treated. Presentation of cases: In the first case, four solid lesions were detected, and in the second case, a hypodense lesion of 3 cm was detected in the spleen. Two cases underwent splenectomy. No complication and recurrence were observed during 22 - 21 months follow-up, respectively. In the third case, a splenic mass invading pancreas was detected. Splenectomy and distal pancreatectomy were performed. No recurrence was observed during 8-year follow-up. In postoperative period, all cases were treated with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, prednisone plus rituximab for 6 cycles. Primary splenic lymphoma refers to the involvement of the spleen only or with splenic hilar lymph node or local invasion without liver involvement. The pathologic diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the all cases. Splenic mass biopsy has some complication risks. Aspiration biopsy of splenic mass was performed in one of the three cases. Invasions should be evaluated in terms of malignity during splenectomy, and liver biopsy and biopsies of lymph nodes can be performed in case of lymphoma. Additionally diagnosis should be confirmed via post-operative bone marrow biopsy and positron emission tomography screening. Primary splenic involved lymphoma must be kept in mind for differential diagnosis in cases with splenic mass. Splenectomy is one of the most common modality for primary splenic lymphomas in terms of both diagnostic and curative treatment.

Key words: Non-hodgkin lymphoma, splenic involvement, splenectomy