Surgical Treatment of Primary Pulmonary Lymphoma

Introduction: Primary pulmonary lymphoma is an uncommon lung neoplasm. Methods: From July 2000 to April 2006 we have observed three cases of primary lymphoma. 3 patients (2 F, 1 M; mean age 34.3 years, range 27–40) were examined with chest X-ray, CT scan and bron- choscopy. Most common symptoms were cough, fever, asthenia, weight loss and clubbing. Radiological findings were similar to primary pul- monarycarcinoma.Bronchoscopyrevealedbronchialstenosis(2)and no abnormal findings (1). Definitive diagnosis was possible by patho- logic and immunohistochemical examination of the lung tissue obtained at surgery in 2 cases, in the remaining a preoperative diagnosis was attained by transbronchial biopsy. Tumor localization was in left upper lobe (2) and middle lobe (1). Two patients underwent radical pneumonectomy and 1 left upper lobectomy. Surgical specimens were histologically proven to be Hodking’s lymphoma in all cases. All patients received postoperative chemotherapy and 1 also preoperative. Results: No perioperative mortality and morbidity with regular postoperative course. All patients are alive without evidence of dis- ease at 27, 15 and 13 months. Discussion: Primary pulmonary lymphoma is a rare type of malignant lung neoplasm without characteristic clinical features. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult because of the lack of specific characteristics and similarity to primary lung cancer. Treatment modalities include surgical treatment, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.