Primary large B-cell lymphoma of the thyroid. Apropos of 2 cases

Two cases of primary large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are described. Both cases had typical symptoms: a sudden growth of thyroid in these female patients at their sixth decade of life. The differential diagnosis between undifferentiated carcinoma and lymphoma of the thyroid, uncertain with clinical and ultrasound examination, was defined by a fine needle biopsy (FNAB). Patients underwent a radical resection which permitted a correct cancer staging even in the presence of laterocervical lymph nodes swelling. Histological examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the presence of a large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma while the immunophenotypical analysis detected the expression of the common leukocytic antigen and B-correlated antigens CD20, CD74, CDW75 and CD79A. In both cases chemotherapy and radiotherapy were carried out.