Hepatic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with lactic acidosis in HIV-infected patients: report of 2 cases.

We report 2 patients with HIV-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with massive hepatic involvement and lactic acidosis. The lactic acidosis was likely caused by excessive tumor lactate production coupled with impaired hepatic clearance. Although 1 patient died rapidly, the other survived for 7 months after receiving urgent combination chemotherapy. Clinicians should be aware of this condition and the importance of its early diagnosis and treatment.