Composite lymphoma of the axillary lymph node comprising peripheral T-cell lymphoma-not otherwise specified and follicular B-cell lymphoma: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: Composite lymphoma is defined as coexistence of two or more morphologically and phenotypically distinct lymphomas in the same anatomical site. Composite lymphoma may include combinations of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and B- or T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL); B-cell NHL and T-cell NHL; or two distinct B-cell or T-cell NHLs. The exact pathogenesis of composite lymphoma is unknown. Most cases demonstrate poor outcomes with a median survival of 12 months. The treatment is usually directed toward the higher-grade component. Case Report: Here, we report an extraordinarily rare case of a composite lymphoma composed of peripheral T-cell lymphoma-not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) and follicular B-cell lymphoma (FBCL) coexisting in a single axillary lymph node in a 66-year-old female. Conclusion: The medical literature lacks significant information regarding this type of composite lymphoma, thus creating a challenge for management. Currently, only one other case of this type of composite lymphoma has been reported in the English medical literature, with this case reporting the first female patient.