Peritoneal lymphomatosis confounded by prior history of colon cancer: a case report

BMC Cancer. 2011 Jun 27:11:276. doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-11-276.

Abstract

Background: It is well known that carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract are frequently associated with peritoneal carcinomatosis. In contrast to that entity extensive involvement of the peritoneal cavity with malignant lymphoma is rare.

Case presentation: This is the first case reporting coexistence of peritoneal lymphomatosis and a previous history of colon cancer, which is a highly challenging clinical situation.

Conclusions: If not aware of this unusual condition medical history, radiologic finding and laboratory data alone can lead to wrong diagnosis as in this case.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Ascites / etiology
  • Ascites / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Carcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Colonic Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Colonic Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Delayed Diagnosis / adverse effects
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / analysis
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / diagnosis*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Proteins / analysis
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / diagnosis*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / secondary*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Dexamethasone
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase