Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting as an inguinal hernia - case report

Abstract

Background

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) masquerading as a recurrent inguinal hernia is rare. We report the case of a 73-year-old male patient who presented with a symptomatic bulge in his left groin. Medical history revealed bilateral preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair, osteoporosis and atrial fibrillation. The patient’s further history was not significant.

Methods

Sonography revealed recurrence of an indirect inguinal hernia (4.5 cm × 2.3 cm) on the left, with bilateral subcutaneous lymph nodes that were deemed unremarkable. We planned an elective left-sided anterior inguinal repair. Apixaban was stopped two days prior to surgery.

Results

During surgery we identified the bulge as a lump attached to the spermatic cord. No hernial sac was present. Together with the consulting urologist, we concluded a possible malignant etiology and performed an orchiectomy along with resection of the lump.

Conclusion

Microscopic and immunohistochemical analysis revealed a DLBCL with non-germinal center phenotype and c-MYC rearrangement. Further staging confirmed stage IE disease with extranodal paratesticular involvement. The patient was subsequently treated with rituximab in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone and showed complete metabolic remission after two cycles. This case illustrates the broad differential diagnosis of inguinal swelling and (para)testicular tumors.

Keywords:

• DLBCL
• misdiagnosis
• inguinal
• hernia
• case report

Acknowledgments

Paperpal Preflight was used during manuscript preparation.

Consent form

Written informed consent was given by the patient. All research data supporting this paper is given within the manuscript.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by author 1. The first draft of the manuscript was written by author 1 and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript, which was edited accordingly. Images were provided by author 5. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).