AA-type amyloidosis associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a case report.

Amyloid-associated protein (AA)-type systemic amyloidosis has been referred to as secondary amyloidosis because it is secondary to an associated inflammatory condition. It is extremely rare in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Here we report an autopsy case of follicular small cleaved cell lymphoma with focal large B-cell lymphoma transformation in association with systemic AA-type amyloidosis. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from autopsy and the patient's previous surgical specimen were studied by Congo red stain; electron microscopy; and immunostaining with antibodies against AA protein, P component, and kappa and lambda light chains. There was a marked AA amyloid deposition in the glomeruli of both kidneys, the retroperitoneal lymphoma mass, the blood vessels, the adrenal glands, and the adipose tissues. The patient's previous surgical specimens were negative for amyloid. We propose that this patient's systemic AA-type amyloidosis developed along the course of his NHL.