[Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma arising from the wall of old tuberculous empyema--a surgical case report].

A 71-year-old male underwent therapeutic pneumothorax for left pulmonary tuberculosis 42 years ago. He visited our hospital in February 1988 with a complaint of hemosputum. In October, cytology of sputum revealed malignant cells, and the patient was admitted to our hospital for further examination. Because malignant cells were found by the left bronchial lavage, pan-pleuropneumonectomy was performed on January 12, 1989 under the diagnosis of left lung cancer. The tumor was partially left unremoved. Histological diagnosis was diffuse large cell type, B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Postoperatively, 2 courses of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, prednisone, etoposide (CHOP and VP-16) therapy were performed. However, the patient died of respiratory insufficiency on the 125th postoperative day. Recently, cases of malignant lymphoma involving the pleura after the old tuberculous empyema and therapeutic pneumothorax have been increased. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and treatment are recommended when tumor shadow is suspected as a result of imaging examination.