Sarcoid-Lymphoma Syndrome in a Patient with Intellectual Disability: Diagnostic Pitfalls and Delayed Recognition of Lymphoma
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Background : Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease that can rarely coexist with lymphomas, a phenomenon known as sarcoid-lymphoma syndrome.Both diseases present similarly, and the syndrome presents many diagnostic challenges.Case presentation : A 67-year-old man with intellectual disability presented following a fall and was incidentally found to have a lung mass, lymphadenopathy, and hypercalcemia.Initial workup suggested sarcoidosis.Due to atypical progression of disease and persistent clinical concerns, multiple subsequent biopsies were nondiagnostic until a retroperitoneal lymph node biopsy revealed DLBCL.Outcome : He was treated with R-mini-CHOP chemotherapy and achieved radiological remission.However, he later relapsed with CNS involvement and was transitioned to comfort care.Discussion : This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of sarcoid-lymphoma syndrome, particularly the role of non-diagnostic biopsies, corticosteroid masking, and psychosocial barriers in patients with intellectual disability.
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7131106817