Pleural Lymphomas
Pleural lymphomas are very rare as primary disease but a relatively common manifestation in systemic disease (Vega et al., Arch Pathol Lab Med. 130:1497-502, 2006). More than 95% of cases are a manifestation of advanced stage of disease usually as lung involvement with spread to the pleural cavity. Lymphomatous involvement of the pleura manifests as a pleural-based mass or multiple pleural nodules usually accompanied by pleural effusion. A diagnosis can be established in cytology specimens with the aid of ancillary tests, particularly flow cytometry, but occasional biopsy-proven cases may render negative results by this method (Vega et al., Arch Pathol Lab Med. 130:1497-502, 2006). Secondary lymphomas that can involve the pleura include diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, small B-cell lymphomas, and rarely T-cell lymphomas.
