Unwelcomed Guest to the Heart: Secondary Cardiac Localization of Non-Hodgkin?s Lymphoma: About a Case and Review of Literature

Cardiac involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is rare and often seen at a very late stage in the course of the disease. Its frequency is certainly underestimated because 20% of patients who die from lymphoma presented with cardiac involvement at autopsy. We report the case of a 47-year-old male patient, with a history of an ALK + anaplastic large cell lymphoma since 2013, in complete remission, presents with dyspnea, deterioration of his general condition with clinical tumor syndrome signing the relapse of his disease and whose extension assessment revealed a right intra-auricular mass with slight extension to the inferior vena cava. The diagnosis of secondary lymphomatous cardiac localization was retained and the patient received his chemotherapy sessions. The response was spectacular with melting of the tumor syndrome and on echocardiographic control a total disappearance of the mass. The patient has been in complete remission for 3.5 years. The cardiac manifestation is a rare and often unrecognized entity. The prognosis is reserved, an early diagnosis through a rigorous screening is mandatory for an early effective management.