Work

CD20-Positive B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Associated With Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis, Bilateral Renal Lesions, and Retroperitoneal Lymphadenopathy

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Acute pancreatitis is most often caused by gallstones, alcohol use, or hypertriglyceridemia, whereas malignancy is an uncommon association. We report a case of a 29-year-old woman with recurrent acute pancreatitis without a clearly dominant, identifiable cause. Although she reported intermittent heavy weekend alcohol use, recurrence after initial improvement, increasing lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bilateral renal cortical lesions, and progressive retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy suggested a systemic process. Core biopsy of a retroperitoneal lymph node demonstrated a CD20-positive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma with a Ki-67 proliferation index of up to 80%. Limited tissue and nondiagnostic flow cytometry prevented definitive subclassification; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remained in the differential diagnosis. One documented cycle of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) was administered during a subsequent hospitalization, with short-term symptomatic, pancreatic enzyme, and renal improvement. The patient was subsequently lost to follow-up. This case emphasizes the importance of considering lymphoproliferative disease when recurrent pancreatitis is accompanied by progressive systemic imaging abnormalities.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.116919

Authors: Rehan Sarfraz, Magnie L Ledesma Leon, Dunia Nabi, Laura Hernandez Carratala, Jennifer Fuller

Institutions: Palmetto General Hospital, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

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: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7214360571