CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL CONFERENCE REPORT


https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10028-1360
Journal of Postgraduate Medicine Education and Research
Volume 54 | Issue 2 | Year 2020

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: What Matters Tumor Type or Burden?


Ritambhra Nada Prof 1, Balamurugan Thirunavukkarasu Dr 2, Ashish Behera Dr 3, Nidhi Prabhakar Dr 4, Divya Aggarwal Dr 5, Deepesh Lad Dr 6, Rakesh Kochar Prof 7

1,2,5Departments of Histopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
3,6Departments of Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
4Departments of Radiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
7Departments of Gastroenterology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

Corresponding Author: Ritambhra Nada, Department of Histopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, Phone: +91 7087008143, e-mail: ritamduseja@yahoo.com

How to cite this article Nada R, Thirunavukkarasu B, Behera A, et al. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: What Matters Tumor Type or Burden? J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2020;54(2):69–76.

Source of support: Nil

Conflict of interest: None

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 56-year-old female presented with multiple neck swellings for past 1 month, which were progressively enlarging. This was associated with reduced appetite, feeling of persistent fatigue, and low-grade fever. Over the past 2 weeks, she started having multiple episodes of vomiting, dull-aching upper abdominal pain, high colored urine, and yellowish discoloration of eyes and skin. It was associated with reduced alertness and swelling of bilateral lower limbs and progressive breathlessness for past 2 weeks, which had progressed from MMRC grade zero to 4 over the past 2 days. There was no history of high-grade fever, pruritus, clay colored or black tarry stools, bleeding per rectum, skin rash, or bleeding from any site. There was no history of arthralgia, oral ulceration, reduced urine output, frothuria, hematuria, or facial puffiness. There was no history of orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, chest pain, cough, or expectoration. There was no significant past history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, or oral ulcers. There was no similar or significant family history.

EXAMINATION

Patient was drowsy but easily arousable. She was pale and icteric and had generalized lymphadenopathy with presence of 2.5 × 2.5 cm right submandibular lymph node, 3 × 2 cm supraclavicular lymph node, and 1 × 1 cm sized right axillary lymph node. The lymph nodes were firm, mobile, and non-tender and did not show any signs of inflammation. Her blood pressure was 100/78 mm Hg at admission with a pulse rate of 128 beats per minute and a respiratory rate of 32 breaths per minute. She was maintaining O2 saturation of 90% on oxygen support in the form of venture mask delivering 40% oxygen. There were no cardiac murmurs. Fine crackles were heard in bilateral infrascapular regions, more on the left side.

Liver was palpable 4 cm below right costal margin and was tender with sharp margins, indicating hepatomegaly. Splenomegaly was also present as non-tender spleen palpable 4 cm below left costal margin. There was no evidence of free fluid in abdomen.

INVESTIGATIONS

Table 1: Hemogram findings
Date30-06-201903-07-201906-07-201908-07-201911-07-2019
Hb (g%)7.97.86.67.68.3
TLC11,70015,80019,90017,70013,100
Diff. count68/09/20/03ANC = 13,930ANC = 12,744ANC = 10,480
Plt. count54,00096,000106,000139,00086,000
ESR29
Table 2: Biochemistry: laboratory values
Date30-06-201903-07-201906-07-201908-07-201911-07-2019
Na+/K+133/3.5140/4.14136/3.54142/3.8136.5/3.4
Urea/Cr57/1.395/2.37142/4.0134/3.0378.7/2.44
Bil (T/D)21/1222/1721/1424/16.625.93/17.49
SGOT/SGPT/ALP91/42/25292/65/279148/74/500117/56/632120.3/70.2/665
T.Pro/ALBUMIN36.3/3.234.4/2.175.9/3.23.77/2.60
Mg+/Ca+2/PO4-2.99/9.26/2.682.74/9.49/3.22.44/11.3/3.963.18/9.65/3.85
LDH (135–225 U/L)4343183121044447
Chl/LDL/HDL/TG (mg/L)130/13.7/5/392
Table 3: Coagulation profile
Date30-06-201903-07-201907-07-201910-07-201911-07-2019
PTTK/aPTT (28–35 seconds)30.53338.236.450.7
PT (12–15 seconds)19.2182117.619.4
PTI (%)7274667669
INR1.371.291.571.261.39
Fibrinogen (2–4 g/L)/D-dimer (0.5 μg/mL)4.3/25.36/2.311.14/4.88
Table 4: Arterial blood gas values
Date30-06-201902-07-201906-07-201908-07-201911-07-2019
pH7.5397.477.367.3427.153
HCO318.91814.915.818.8
SpO2846869.752.385.7
pCO222.72526.429.854.7
SO290.39093.985.793.4
Lactate1.773.093.576.135

COURSE AND MANAGEMENT

This 56-year-old female was admitted with moderate anemia, thrombocytopenia, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and history of B symptoms for last 1 month. She presented with sepsis, metabolic acidosis, and hypoxemia and was managed with piperacillin/tazobactam and supplemental oxygen with a provisional clinical diagnosis of cholangitis. She developed hypotension on next day, with deterioration of sensorium and was started on vasopressor support which was needed to be up-titrated to 3 drugs over the due course and noninvasive ventilation for the progressive respiratory distress. Negative consent was given for intubation and she was hence continued on noninvasive ventilation. She developed deterioration of sensorium, worsening metabolic acidosis, and acute kidney injury with oliguria.

She was treated with sustained low efficiency dialysis for the renal impairment starting from day 4 of admission (03.07.19). She developed increased infiltration of lung field along with refractory shock with elevation of lactate and procalcitonin for which her antibiotics were hiked up and caspofungin was started with a clinical suspicion of fungal sepsis.

Once a diagnosis of high-grade NHL was established using FNAC, she was started on dexamethasone, cyclophosphamide (800 mg/m2), and rituximab (375 mg/m2). She continued to have deterioration of vitals and renal function (anuria) in spite of the definitive treatment and supportive management. The patient succumbed to her illness and sustained cardiac arrest on 12.07.19.

Lymph node biopsy was done whose report was available post-mortem. Lymph node biopsy showed effaced nodal architecture with presence of atypical cells in sheets, which were 2.5–3 times the size of mature lymphocytes. These atypical lymphoid cells were positive for CD20, Bcl2, and MUM1 (more than 30% cells) and were negative for CD3, CD10, cyclin D1, SOX 11, and Bcl6. The final diagnosis rendered was diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and activated B cell (ABC) phenotype.

Case Analysis

A 56-year-old lady presented with fever, loss of appetite, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, deep jaundice, deterioration of sensorium, shortness of breath, and refractory septic shock whose investigations showed leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, coagulopathy, metabolic acidosis, and hypoxemia. The basic disease was revealed on lymph node FNAC and bone marrow examination to be DLBCL, ABC phenotype.

Table 5: Factors of revised international prognostic index for DLBCL
Age greater than 60 years
ECOG performance status greater than 2
Elevated LDH (above normal range)
More than 1 extranodal site
Ann Arbor Stage III/IV
R-IPI score based on number of factors present
    Very good0
    Good1–2
    Poor3–5

The ABC phenotype is classified as an aggressive NHL.1 Elevated beta-2 microglobulin levels render an unfavorable prognosis.2 In this patient, the DLBCL may have been of extranodal origin, which accounts for 40% of all DLBCLs or it may have been advanced DLBCL with spread to extranodal organs.3 As per revised international prognostic index for DLBCL (Table 5), this patient had a score of 4 with poor prognosis and estimated 4-year survival of 44%.4

The patient had accompanying acute liver failure which contributed to rapid deterioration, as indicated by jaundice, coagulopathy, hepatic encephalopathy, and no evidence of prior liver disease. The likely etiology of acute liver failure could be malignant infiltration of liver, secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), infective etiology, drug intake, and veno-occlusive disease. Malignant infiltration of liver is most likely as there is hepatomegaly without any focal liver lesion, with disproportionate elevation of ALP along with aggressive form of DLBCL.5 The H score was 188, and hence, a possibility of hereditary lymphohistiocytoses (HLH) was also considered, though bone marrow did not show any hemophagocytosis.6

Breathlessness in the patient could be attributable to infiltration of lung by lymphoma or an infection (bacterial > fugal > viral) since the radiological features showed bilateral lung infiltrates and patient had presence of factors predisposing to infection, i.e., high-grade NHL.

The terminal event was refractory septic shock as the SOFA score was 18 with acute kidney injury and elevated lactate and procalcitonin.7 Additionally volume overload also likely played a role terminally, as the patient had anemia, hypoalbuminemia, renal failure, and there was evidence of pleural effusion and pulmonary edema on radiology.

Final Clinical Diagnosis

  • B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma- DLBCL stage IV E (ECOG-4) with bone marrow and liver infiltration
  • Acute liver failure (MELD = 36) (coagulopathy and encephalopathy)
  • Community acquired pneumonia? Aspiration pneumonia
  • Candidemia
  • Refractory septic shock

Clinical Discussion

Prof Rakesh Kochar: Thank you Dr Behera. Please join me here. So this patient was admitted under hematology services. If there is anyone from the unit to comment upon the clinical course, please come.

Dr Niranjan: Good morning. So this elderly female was admitted with us in the HDU with a stay of around 13 days. So as we can see, what is very clear is that we are dealing with a very aggressive kind of lymphoma. I am calling it aggressive because the presentation was short with severe organ failure; she had liver infiltration causing hepatic encephalopathy and coagulopathy as well as the other biological markers, the IPI was 4, and beta-2 microglobulin was high. LDH was quiet high and she also had hypercalcemia. So calcium of 11.9 mg/dL was the maximum calcium. There is lymphoma causing liver infiltration, some component of HLH and hemolysis cannot be ruled out. What can this aggressive lymphoma be? So we were thinking that this could be a double-hit or a triple-hit lymphoma with MYC translocations. Another consideration could be an underlying CLPD with Richter’s transformation, since there was marrow infiltration with an M band, but the marrow morphology is going more in favor of an aggressive disease only. The terminal event, I think, is predominantly sepsis. The patient came to us with liver failure, we had given her dexamethasone, cyclophosphamide. She had severe septic shock. She had candidemia in blood. So I think the terminal event was predominantly sepsis in a patient who had an active disease due to chemotherapy.

Prof Rakesh Kochar: Thank you.

Dr Gaurav: So just to reiterate what Dr Niranjan has said, seeing atypical cells in the periphery in a patient with DLBCL is exceedingly rare, and with the extensive extranodal involvement, we are possibly dealing with a double-hit or a triple-hit lymphoma with MYC translocation. Even though on immunohistochemistry, it is ABC subtype and we know that it is less likely. Second point is that the patient was hypoxic right to begin with. She needed high oxygen requirement at 40% FiO2 and then maintaining saturation at 90%. First CT was relatively okay with presence of focal atelectasis. So possibly there is some component of a pulmonary thromboembolism or possibly, I would say, there is some interstitial infiltration by the lymphoma into the lungs is possibly causing the hypoxia.

Prof Rakesh Kochar: Yes, Dr Virender Singh.

Prof Virender Singh: There are few important points There was no question of cholangitis in this patient. The ultrasound never showed biliary dilatation. And then, such a large hepatomegaly with the lymph nodes, I do not think there is any doubt, especially after the FNAC, the lymphoma is there. Then regarding the acute liver failure (ALF), this presentation cannot be labeled ALF. In ALF, there is a gross transaminitis; INR is deranged grossly which is absent here. Even when total bilirubin at the onset was 21, the INR was 1.1 or 1.2, and we never see in ALF. Further we never get raised ALP in ALF which was present in this patient. So this was a massive infiltration of the liver because of the lymphoma and I am not expecting a massive necrosis of the liver on the autopsy.

Prof Rakesh Kochar: Okay, with this we move on to the pathology protocol to be presented by Dr Balamurugan.

Pathology Findings

A partial autopsy was carried out. The prosectors noted that the deceased was moderately built. The pleural and pericardial cavities were within normal limits and the peritoneal cavity yielded 500 mL of straw colored fluid.

Lymph node biopsies from submandibular and mediastinal lymph nodes performed antemortem showed sheets of atypical lymphoid cells which were 2–3 times the size of mature lymphocytes with condensed chromatin and occasional prominent nucleoli (Fig. 1). They were immunopositive for CD20, Bcl2 (>70%), and MUM-1 (>30%). Ki67 labeling index was 40–50% (Fig. 1).

Para-aortic and hilar lymph nodes were enlarged and showed effaced nodal architecture and replacement by sheets of atypical lymphoid cells with similar morphology. The cells were negative for CD3, CD5, CD30, CD10, Bcl6, c-myc, Tdt, Cyclin D1, SOX11, and EBER ISH (Fig. 2). Features were of a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, non-GCB phenotype, and Bcl2 expressor.

Interphase FISH (break-apart probe) performed for c-myc, Bcl2, and Bcl6 was negative (Fig. 2). Occasional necrotizing epithelioid cell granulomas were identified (Fig. 2). Ziehl-Neelsen stain for acid fast bacilli was negative. Mesenteric lymph nodes showed atypical lymphoid cells with similar morphology (Fig. 2).

Liver—weighed 3100 g. The capsular surface was normal with no wrinkling or nodularity. Cut surface was mottled (Fig. 3). Biliary tree, portal, and hepatic veins were normal. Microscopy showed distorted lobular architecture. Subcapsular surface, portal tracts, and sinusoids showed diffuse, massive infiltration by similar atypical lymphoid cells (Fig. 3). DLBCL presenting as acute liver failure is rare though rare cases have been reported8,9

Spleen—weighed 650 g. Capsular aspect was unremarkable while the cut surface was congested (Fig. 3). Microscopy showed diffuse infiltration of sinusoids by atypical lymphoid cells with similar morphology as described above (Fig. 4).

Bone marrow—was hypercellular for age (Fig. 4) and showed adequate representation of all three hematopoietic lineage elements. However, occasional clusters of atypical lymphoid cells were identified and these cells were positive for CD20 indicating infiltration by lymphoma (Fig. 4).

Lungs—Both lungs weighed 1140 g and were heavy (Fig. 5). Lungs were subcrepitant to feel. The pleura was shiny except over the left lower lobe of lung. Cut surface of this region in left lower lobe showed hemorrhagic consolidation (Fig. 5). Hilar and carinal lymph nodes measured 0.5–0.8 cm in diameter. No thrombus was seen in the major pulmonary vessels. Microscopic examination from the hemorrhagic lesions showed diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (Fig. 5). No fungal profiles, granulomas, or evidence of lymphoma infiltration was seen.

Figs 1A to G: (A) Core biopsy showed diffuse sheets of atypical lymphoid cells (hematoxylin and eosin 40×); (B) These atypical lymphoid cells were 2–3 times the size of mature lymphocytes with condensed chromatin and occasional prominent nucleoli (hematoxylin and eosin 400×). They were positive for CD20 [(C) CD20 immunohistochemistry, 200×], Bcl2 (in >70% cells); [(D) Bcl2 immunohistochemistry, 200×], MUM1 (in >30% tumor cells); [(E) MUM1 immunohistochemistry, 200×], and negative for c-myc; [(F) c-myc immunohistochemistry, 200×]. Ki67 labeling index was 40%–50%; [(G) Ki67 immunohistochemistry, 200×]

Figs 2A to G: (A) Mediastinal lymph node had effaced nodal architecture with replacement by sheets and large nodules of large atypical lymphoid cells (hematoxylin and eosin, 40×); (B) There were occasional epithelioid cell granulomas (hematoxylin and eosin 100×); (C) These atypical lymphoid cells were negative for EBER-ISH (EVER-ISH, 200×); (D) Merged image of FISH with dual colored break-apart probe for c-myc showing two normal fused signals (1000×, oil immersion); (E) Merged image of FISH with dual colored break-apart probe for Bcl2 showing two normal fused signals (1000×, oil immersion); (F) Merged image of FISH with dual colored break-apart probe for Bcl6 showing two normal fused signals (1000×, oil immersion); (G) Mesenteric lymph nodes showed infiltration by atypical lymphoid cells with similar morphology (hematoxylin and eosin 40×)

Heart—weighed 330 g. Pericardium was unremarkable and all four chambers were grossly unremarkable (Fig. 5). The right ventricular wall thickness was 0.4 cm and left ventricular wall thickness was 1.4 cm (Fig. 5). All cardiac valves were within normal limits and no vegetations were noted. Aorta showed grade I atherosclerosis. Myocardium was microscopically unremarkable.

Kidneys—both kidneys weighed 260 g. Capsular surface was unremarkable and capsule was easily stripped off. The cut surface showed distinct corticomedullary junction with medullary congestion. Microscopy showed acute tubular necrosis with bile cast nephropathy (Fig. 6). Glomeruli, interstitium, and blood vessels showed no significant pathology.

Figs 3A to F: (A) Gross photograph of organ complex comprising of slice of liver, gallbladder, C loop of duodenum, head of pancreas, and slice of spleen. The liver was grossly enlarged; (B) Cut surface of liver showed mottled appearance; (C) The architecture of liver was distorted and the portal tracts showed infiltration by atypical lymphoid cells (hematoxylin and eosin, 40×); (D) Subcapsular region of liver showed infiltration by similar cells (hematoxylin and eosin 100×); (E) Atypical lymphoid cells were also seen diffusely infiltrating the sinusoids (hematoxylin and eosin 200×); (F) These atypical lymphoid cells were positive for CD20 (CD20 immunohistochemistry, 40×)

Figs 4A to D: (A) Spleen showed diffuse infiltration of sinusoids by atypical lymphoid cells (hematoxylin and eosin 200×); (B) Bone marrow was hypercellular for age (hematoxylin and eosin 20×); (C) Bone marrow showed infiltration by atypical lymphoid cells (hematoxylin and eosin 400×); (D) These atypical lymphoid cells were positive for CD20 (CD20 immunostain 100×)

Uterus and ovaries—Endometrium was atrophic. An intramural fibroid measuring 4.5 × 3 cm was identified in the fundus and body. Microscopy showed features of benign leiomyoma. Bilateral ovaries were grossly and microscopically unremarkable.

Esophagus and stomach—Distal esophagus and cardia of stomach showed erosion with areas of hemorrhage which were confirmed microscopically (Fig. 6). No infiltration by lymphoma cells was noted.

Figs 5A to F: (A) Organ complex comprising of bilateral lungs and trachea-bronchial tree. The trachea-bronchial tree did not show any aspirated material; (B) Cut surface of left lower lobe of lung showed hemorrhagic consolidation; (C) Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage was seen in the section taken from the area of hemorrhagic consolidation in left lower lobe of lung (hematoxylin and eosin 400×); (D) Heart was grossly unremarkable; (E) Right ventricular wall thickness was 0.4 cm and right outflow tract was unremarkable; (F) Left ventricular wall thickness was 1.4 cm and left inflow tract was unremarkable

Figs 6A to C: (A) Kidney showed acute tubular necrosis with bile casts noted in the tubules (hematoxylin and eosin 400×); (B) Bile casts were highlighted on Fouchet’s stain as green colored casts (Fouchet’s stain, 400×); (C) Gross photograph showing esophagus and stomach showing erosion with areas of hemorrhage in distal esophagus and cardia of stomach

Gall bladder, pancreas, small and large intestines, skin and adrenal glands: all these organs were unremarkable both grossly and microscopically.

This patient had a Bcl-2 positive DLBCL and poor prognostic significance of bcl2 positivity in DLBCL has been described by various authors.1012

FINAL AUTOPSY DIAGNOSIS (PM29654)

FINAL DISCUSSION

Prof Rakesh Kochar: Thank you. Dr Balamurugan, Please join me here.

Dr Gaurav: It was very nicely demonstrated pathology work up lymphoma. I am rather surprised to see such extensive extranodal involvement. There was no evidence of sepsis at all?

Dr Balamurugan: Yes sir despite extensive sampling of lungs and other organs, there was no evidence of infection.

Prof Pankaj Malhotra: In our clinical practice, we do see such patients who present with massive tumor burden and give us no or limited time to treat.

Prof Sanjay Jain: It is surprising to see that despite so much tumor burden, LDH levels were not very high. Though we do not have uric acid levels, did you see any evidence of urate deposits which can be expected with so much turnover.

Dr Balamurugan: No, sir.

Prof Varinder Singh: So as expected from liver function tests, there was no hepatocytic loss and only lymphomatous infiltrate accounting for elevated bilirubin and raised alkaline phosphatase. Elevation of bilirubin must have been multifactorial.

Prof Rakesh Kochar: So today we witnessed nice demonstration of well worked up case of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with massive tumor burden. Thank you everybody for the participation.

COMMENTARY

High tumor load with involvement of multiple extranodal sites is a finding, which is usually noted in lymphomas which are double-hit or triple-hit and blastoid variant of mantle cell lymphoma. This was a rare case as it did not fall into any of the above three categories, and yet showed massive extranodal involvement.

Liver dysfunction can be multifactorial in cases of lymphoma as was in present case and rarely these diffuse large B cell lymphoma can present as acute liver failure.8,9

The adverse prognostic factors in this case included ABC phenotype, Bcl2 positivity, and advance stage disease.1012

Using gene expression profiling (GEP), DLBCL can be divided into cell of origin such as germinal center B-cell–like (GCB), activated B-cell–like (ABC), and unclassified type. These groups have survival benefit independent of the IPI. GCB group has better overall survival than non-GCB group.13 Various studies report GCB subtype and non-GCB subtype range from 38% to 53% and 47% to 62%, respectively.1416 This tumor also had blastoid morphology at places, which placed double/triple-hit, lymphoblastic lymphoma and blastoid variant of mantle cell lymphoma as strong contender among the differentials and thus were excluded. c-myc and Bcl2 protein expression in DLBCL per se has poor prognostic value even without gene rearrangement. C-MYC, Bcl2, and C-MYC/BCL2 co-expression seen in DLBCL are 64%, 50%, and 34%, respectively.17 Hu et al. stated that the MYC/BCL2 co-expression contributes to the inferior survival of ABC phenotype of DLBCL and there was increased C-MYC and BCL2 expression scores in non-GCB phenotype compared to GCB phenotype.17 Multivariate analysis performed showed significant poor overall survival and event-free survival in stages III, IV.14 Higher IPI score and stage still remains gold standard for assessment of prognosis, which is also demonstrated in this case.

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