Non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma revealed by an ovarian tumor case report and review of the literature.

Background: The initial manifestation of a lymphoma as an ovarian mass is unusual, with a reportedly poor prognosis. An exploratory laparotomy is often performed as the ovarian tumor can mimic an advanced epithelial carcinoma. The criteria of lymphoma used in the selection of a nonsurgical approach, that is, chemotherapy possibly associated with radiation, are rarely defined.

Methods: We report the case of a 36-year-old woman who presented with an ovarian tumor suggestive of advanced carcinoma. After an initial approach including optimal surgery, the diagnosis of large B-cell CD30+ non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma was established. Complete remission was obtained after a chemotherapy regimen, appropriate to the specific histologic type of the lymphoma.

Conclusions: The choice treatment of ovarian non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is chemotherapy. In the presence of an ovarian tumor, the possibility of ovarian NHL must be considered, and its clinical, biological, and/or radiological signs must be actively sought. Controlled biopsies must also be included to avoid mutilating surgery.