Lymphadenopathy due to amyloid deposition in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

BACKGROUND

Amyloidosis is a rare complication of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Most of the reported patients have had systemic amyloidosis and have died as a result of complications of this disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The clinical cases of two patients with lymphoplasmacytic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who presented with lymphadenopathy due to localised amyloid deposition are reviewed. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on the amyloid deposits and adjacent lymphoma.

RESULTS

The amyloid deposits in both patients were derived from monoclonal light chains of the same isotype as those expressed by the lymphoma cells and were localised to areas adjacent to the lymphoma despite the presence of circulating light chains. Both patients had an indolent clinical course and treatment appeared to have little influence on the amyloid deposition.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may be associated with localised amyloidosis secondary to local production and deposition of amyloid from monoclonal light chains synthesised by the lymphoma cells. This is a rare cause of lymphadenopathy which does not respond to treatment of the underlying lymphoma.