Efficacy of rituximab monotherapy for an elderly hemodialysis patient with primary cardiac lymphoma

Intern Med. 2010;49(19):2163-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.49.4018. Epub 2010 Oct 1.

Abstract

We report a case of primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) occurring in a 76-year-old man during maintenance hemodialysis. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a tumor with pericardial effusion in the left ventricular posterior wall. Cytological examination of the pericardial fluid revealed monotonous lymphoid cells positive for B-cell markers, and clonal immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement was detected, indicating B-cell lymphoma. Rituximab monotherapy was administered biweekly at the therapeutic level on hemodialysis. The follow-up chest CT showed tumor disappearance with pericardial fluid after two courses of therapy. Rituximab monotherapy was effective for an elderly hemodialysis patient with PCL.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / blood
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / therapeutic use*
  • Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Heart Neoplasms / genetics
  • Heart Neoplasms / immunology
  • Heart Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / genetics
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / immunology
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / therapy*
  • Male
  • Pericardial Effusion / diagnostic imaging
  • Pericardial Effusion / pathology
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Rituximab
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Rituximab