Primary ovarian lymphoma misdiagnosed as epithelial carcinoma: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Abstract Background Primary DLBCL of the ovary is an uncommon malignant ovarian tumor. Its pathogenesis is unclear. Clinical symptoms and auxiliary exams show little specificity. Diagnosis is difficult before surgery. It is frequently misdiagnosed as other malignant ovarian tumors. Misdiagnosis frequently leads to excessive therapy. Patient presentation A 51-year-old patient with abdominal pain for two months and an abdominal mass for one week was admitted to the hospital. The patient had no vaginal bleeding or fluid; no fever, chills, night sweats, or weight loss; and no obvious medical or family history. When a diagnosis of an ovarian malignant tumor was considered, we performed double adnexectomy plus adnexectomy, hysterectomy, greater omentectomy, and partial peritonectomy. Postoperative pathology revealed DLBCL of the ovary, an anaplastic center-like subtype. The patient subsequently received two cycles of chemotherapy with the R-CHOP regimen. The patient's condition improved after chemotherapy, with no signs of disease progression, and she was considered for continuation of chemotherapy with the original regimen. Conclusions We reviewed the patient’s clinical data and literature to improve practitioners' understanding of the disease and prevent misdiagnosis and overtreatment.