Indian Journal of Endocrine Surgery and Research

Register      Login

VOLUME 19 , ISSUE 2 ( July-December, 2024 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Primary Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the Thyroid Gland: A Case Report with Review of Literature

Muppana VVS Srikanth, Balamurugan Thirunavukkarasu

Keywords : Case report, Chemotherapy in thyroid neoplasm, Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Primary thyroid lymphoma

Citation Information : Srikanth MV, Thirunavukkarasu B. Primary Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the Thyroid Gland: A Case Report with Review of Literature. 2024; 19 (2):92-95.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10088-11248

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 20-12-2024

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2024; The Author(s).


Abstract

Background: Primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) is an uncommon condition, accounting for under 5% of thyroid cancers and no more than 2.5% of all lymphoma cases. Case presentation: We present the case of a 50-year-old gentleman who presented with a rapidly progressive right solitary thyroid nodule and a palpable cervical lymph node. Ultrasound imaging revealed a heterogeneous right TIRADS-4 lesion, and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) showed a fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avid thyroid lesion and supradiaphragmatic lymph nodes. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the thyroid was suggestive of lymphoma, and a cervical lymph node biopsy confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The patient was treated with chemotherapy (R-CHOP regimen: Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisolone) and achieved a complete response. Discussion: Primary thyroid lymphoma is characterized by the presence of lymphoma solely within the thyroid gland or in the thyroid and nearby lymph nodes, without any contiguous spread or metastasis at the time of diagnosis. The most prevalent form of PTL is DLBCL. Diagnosis typically relies on biopsy, as FNAC is not adequate. Staging involves the use of FDG PET-CT and follows the Ann Arbor classification system. The main treatment approach combines chemotherapy (R-CHOP) with radiotherapy, while surgical intervention is considered only for cases that do not respond to chemotherapy or have remaining thyroid disease. The 5-year survival rate stands at 90% for patients with disease confined to the thyroid, but this drops to 35% for those with disease extending beyond the thyroid. Conclusion: Primary thyroid lymphoma is a rare malignancy of the thyroid gland with a challenging preoperative diagnosis. A biopsy is essential for diagnosis, and staging is performed using PET-CT. Treatment primarily involves chemotherapy (R-CHOP) and radiotherapy, with surgery reserved for resistant or residual disease. Take-home message: Primary thyroid lymphoma is a rare thyroid cancer, primarily non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, most commonly DLBCL. Diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy rather than FNAC, and staging is done using PET-CT. The primary treatment involves chemotherapy (R-CHOP) and radiotherapy, not surgery.


PDF Share
  1. Ansell SM, Grant CS, Habermann TM. Primary thyroid lymphoma. Semin Oncol 1999;26(3):316–323. PMID: 10375088.
  2. Campo E. Update on extranodal lymphomas. Conclusions of the Workshop held by the EAHP and the SH in Thessaloniki, Greece. Histopathology 2006;48(5):481–504. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2006.02369.x.
  3. Chen C. Primary thyroid T-lymphoblastic lymphoma: A case report and review of the literature. Int J Clin Exp Pathol 2014;7(1):443–450. PMID: 24427370.
  4. Takashima S. Secondary malignant lymphoma which simulated primary thyroid cancer. J Clin Imaging 2000;24(3):162–165. DOI: 10.1016/s0899-7071(00)00195-9.
  5. Graff-baker A, Sosa JA, Roman SA. Primary thyroid lymphoma: A review of recent developments in diagnosis and histology-driven treatment. Curr Opin Oncol 2010;22(1):17–22. DOI: 10.1097/CCO.0b013e3283330848.
  6. Sakorafas GH, Kokkoris P, Farley DR. Primary thyroid lymphoma–diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. Surg Oncol 2010;19(4):e124–e129. DOI: 10.1016/j.suronc.2010.06.002.
  7. Widder S, Pasieka JL. Primary thyroid lymphomas. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2004;5(4):307–313. DOI: 10.1007/s11864-004-0021-7.
  8. Walsh S, Lowery AJ. Thyroid lymphoma: Recent advances in diagnosis and optimal management strategies. Oncology 2013;18(9):994–1003. DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2013-0036.
  9. Doria R, Jekel JF, Cooper DL. Thyroid lymphoma: The case for combined modality therapy. Cancer 1994;73(1):200–206. DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(19940101)73:1<200::aid-cncr2820730135> 3.0.co;2-#.
  10. Beasley MJ. Lymphoma of the thyroid and head and neck. Clin Oncol 2012;24(5):345–351. DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2012.02.010.
  11. Tupchong L, Hughes F, Harmer CL. Primary lymphoma of the thyroid: Clinical features, prognostic factors, and results of treatment. Int J Rad Oncol Biol Phys 1986;12(10):1813–1821. DOI: 10.1016/0360-3016(86)90324-x.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.