S Hill1, A Dunn, J M Thomas. 1. Department of Surgery, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Resection of an intramuscular mass without tissue diagnosis can lead to unnecessary surgery. METHOD: During a 4.5-year period 19 previously healthy patients referred with an undiagnosed soft tissue tumour were found to have intramuscular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In seven patients this was the only focus of disease (Stage IE). Patients were treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy alone or in combination. RESULTS: After mean follow-up of 43 months all of the patients with stage IE lymphoma are alive and disease free. CONCLUSION: Primary intramuscular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has a good prognosis. The importance of a tissue diagnosis by needle core biopsy is emphasized.
BACKGROUND: Resection of an intramuscular mass without tissue diagnosis can lead to unnecessary surgery. METHOD: During a 4.5-year period 19 previously healthy patients referred with an undiagnosed soft tissue tumour were found to have intramuscular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In seven patients this was the only focus of disease (Stage IE). Patients were treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy alone or in combination. RESULTS: After mean follow-up of 43 months all of the patients with stage IE lymphoma are alive and disease free. CONCLUSION: Primary intramuscular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has a good prognosis. The importance of a tissue diagnosis by needle core biopsy is emphasized.