HEPATIC LYMPHOMA

Course overview

PRIMARY HEPATIC LYMPHOMA (PHL) IS A RARE FORM OF NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA (NHL) WHICH PRIMARILY INVOLVES THE LIVER. THIS IS IN CONTRAST TO PREDOMINANT LYMPH NODAL OR SPLENIC INVOLVEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH OTHER SUBTYPES OF NHL. THE MAJORITY OF THE PATIENTS WITH PHL REPORT VAGUE SYMPTOMS SUCH AS NAUSEA, VOMITING, UPPER ABDOMINAL PAIN OR DISCOMFORT. APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD REPORT CONSTITUTIONAL SYMPTOMS INCLUDING FEVER, MYALGIA, AND WEIGHT LOSS. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE LOW INCIDENCE AND CHARACTERISTICALLY VAGUE SYMPTOMS OF PHL, PATIENTS OFTEN UNDERGO EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATIONS BEFORE THE DIAGNOSIS IS MADE. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF PRIMARY HEPATIC LYMPHOMA AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM IN IMPROVING CARE FOR AFFECTED PATIENTS.