Work

Untreated Non-Hodgkin Cervical Lymphoma Causing Death in a Young Woman Who Shunned Treatment: A Case Report and Review of the Literature on Delayed Diagnosis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Cancer-related cachexia remains a significant cause of death, particularly for undiagnosed or untreated malignancies. Lymphomas, especially in uncommon locations, may go unrecognized until their advanced stages. Methods: We report the case of a 34-year-old woman who died from cancer-related cachexia due to undiagnosed, untreated cervical non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Four months postpartum, she reported having excluded malignancy through medical investigations, which were later confirmed to have never been performed. The Judicial Authority ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death. A narrative literature review was conducted via PubMed using the terms “Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma” and “Autopsy,” limited to English-language human studies published between January 2000 and February 2025. Results: At autopsy, marked fat depletion and a 1350 g cervical mass were found, with significant anatomical distortion and airway narrowing due to epiglottic edema. Microscopic examination identified a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of germinal center origin. A literature review on lymphoma-related autopsy findings identified common diagnostic challenges, including nonspecific symptoms, rapid clinical deterioration, the rarity of certain subtypes, and a lack of medical compliance. Conclusions: Early recognition and proper investigation of lymphoproliferative disorders are crucial to prevent fatal outcomes. Postmortem findings can offer valuable insights into missed diagnoses and inform strategies to reduce diagnostic delay.

Source: Forensic Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/forensicsci5040061

Authors: Beatrice Benedetti, Caterina Pesaresi, Stefania Molent, Luigi Carbone, Fabio De-Giorgio

Institutions: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic

Language: English

Topic: Lymphoma Diagnosis and Treatment

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,207