Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: an unusual cause of myocardial infarction and hypercalcaemia

Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 1993;5(3):189-90. doi: 10.1016/s0936-6555(05)80328-0.

Abstract

Cardiac involvement is reported in 10%-20% of patients with lymphoma, but it is characteristically difficult to detect clinically or by investigation. Hypercalcaemia is a rare complication. Both complications usually occur late in the natural history of lymphoma. We report a case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, who, within 2 weeks of presentation, developed symptomatic hypercalcaemia and, 3 days later, died of an acute myocardial infarction. Autopsy showed, unexpectedly, the unusual finding of coronary artery compression by lymphomatous deposits.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bronchial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Heart Neoplasms / secondary
  • Humans
  • Hypercalcemia / etiology*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / complications*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / pathology
  • Myocardial Infarction / etiology*
  • Myocardial Infarction / pathology
  • Myocardium / pathology