Hematology Expert Review is an occasional feature that includes a case report followed by questions,
answers, and expert commentary. In this issue of The ASCO Post, Drs. Abutalib and Lukas present part 1 of a case report on primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Part 2 will be published in an upcoming issue.
The ASCO Post is pleased to present Hematology Expert Review, an occasional feature that includes a case report detailing a particular hematologic condition followed by questions. Answers to each question appear on page 105 with expert commentary. In this installment, we present a 70-year-old man who complained of newly developed neurologic symptoms over the course of 2 weeks. “Part 2: Accurate Assessment of Disease Burden and Prognosis” will appear in an upcoming issue of The ASCO Post.
Case Study: A 70-year-old man presented with complaints of newly developed neurologic symptoms over the course of 2 weeks. He stated that he had been getting lost driving while performing his job delivering pizzas, which he has had for the past 10 years. He has also experienced abulia, an inability to make decisions or lack of will, while listening to sports on the radio, and he found himself singing while driving, both of which were atypical behaviors for him and a substantial variation from his normal baseline. He reported no headaches or visual symptoms and is otherwise healthy, with no medical or surgical history. He denied travel outside of his city for the past 5 years.
The neurologic exam was normal. The complete blood cell count (CBC) and complete metabolic profile were also normal. The hepatitis panel and HIV test were negative. These constellations of new symptoms led to brain imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast demonstrated a homogeneously enhancing lesion in the left frontal lobe (Fig. 1). A similar, smaller, noncontiguous lesion was also noted in the right frontal lobe.
Question 1
What is the most likely diagnosis for this patient?
A. Solid tumor metastasis
B. Primary central nervous system lymphoma
C. Glioma
Question 2
What is the next best step to confirm the diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma?
A. Immediate initiation of steroids and surgical resection
B. Immediate initiation of steroids and stereotactic biopsy
C. Immediate stereotactic biopsy
Question 3
What is the characteristic biopsy finding in an immunocompetent host with primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system?
A. Perivascular growth pattern
B. Areas of extensive necrosis
C. Presence of Epstein-Barr virus in the tumor cells
GUEST EDITORS
Syed A. Abutalib, MD, Assistant Director, Hematology & Bone Marrow Transplantation Service, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Zion, Illinois
Rimas V. Lukas, MD, Director of Medical Neuro-Oncology, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Chicago
