Abstract
AIMS: Primary soft tissue lymphoma is uncommon and little is known regarding its aetiology and pathogenesis. In a review of 37 soft tissue lymphomas we uncovered three cases associated with rheumatoid arthritis which we report herein.
METHODS AND RESULTS: The clinical records and pathology of the cases are described together with the results of in situ hybridization studies with oligonucleotide probes to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encoded RNA (EBER). All three patients were females with a long-standing history of rheumatoid arthritis ranging from 9 to 17 years. Each presented with a soft tissue mass in the vicinity of a joint affected by rheumatoid disease. All had received prior treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and one also received gold, penicillamine and intra-articular steroids to affected joints. None had received methotrexate. Histologically, the juxtaarticular soft tissue masses were all B-cell lymphomas. None were associated with EBV as determined by in situ hybridization.
CONCLUSIONS: These cases document an association between rheumatoid arthritis and soft tissue lymphoma of B-cell type, arising in the vicinity of an affected joint. Chronic local immune stimulation may have played a significant role in the genesis of these lymphomas, unlike the frequently reversible and EBV-positive lymphomas that occur in rheumatoid patients on immunosuppressive therapy.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 199-204 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Histopathology |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 3 |
Publication status | Published - Mar 1999 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Adult
- Aged
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid
- Female
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- In Situ Hybridization
- Lymphoma
- Lymphoma, B-Cell
- Lymphoma, Follicular
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin
- RNA, Neoplasm
- Soft Tissue Neoplasms