Vulvar metastasis as the initial presentation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma constitutes 40% of malignant lymphomas. Involvement of the vulva, either primarily or secondarily, appears to be very rare.

CASE: An 87-year-old woman with a 2-cm, left vulvar mass was initially treated with antibiotics due to a suspicion of Bartholin's gland abscess. The mass grew rapidly, from 2 to 10 cm, within 3 months. Biopsy showed a diffuse, large, B-cell lymphoma. After 1 cycle (5 days) of treatment with 200 mg endoxan and 60 mg prednisolone, the mass significantly decreased in size. The decrease in size occurred within 2 days after the beginning of treatment and resolved completely 7 days later.

CONCLUSION

If a vulvar mass is found in an elderly woman, the physician should consider the possibility of malignancy, especially metastasis.