Ultrasound diagnosis and clinicopathological traits of female genital system malignant lymphomas

Abstract

This study investigated the clinicopathological traits and ultrasound features (including 2-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasound) of female genital system malignant lymphomas and explored the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography in this disease.Cases of female pelvic lymphoma diagnosed and treated at our hospital between July 2009 and July 2019 were included in this study. Pathological data and ultrasonic manifestations were assessed retrospectively to summarize the clinical traits and ultrasonic features of female genital system lymphoma (FGSL). Based on the results, recommendations for ultrasonography-based diagnosis of this disease are proposed.During the 10-year study period, 20 female patients were diagnosed with malignant lymphomas in the pelvic cavity based on postoperative pathology tests. The age of the patients ranged from 11 to 83 years, and no patients demonstrated specific clinical traits; however, examination of tumor biomarkers revealed that certain patients had elevated levels of CA125. Twenty-eight lesions were identified in the 20 patients, including 24 involving the reproductive system. The primary ultrasonic manifestations were hypoechoic or extremely hypoechoic solid lesions that were relatively large in size, had a relatively regular shape, and had clear boundaries. Certain patients had concurrent ascites, and although some lesions lacked blood supply, most lesions had medium to abundant blood flow, which was largely characterized by low resistance. Almost none of the lesions were definitively diagnosed preoperatively.Diagnosing malignant lymphomas in the female genital tract remains a considerable clinical challenge. Although certain clinical traits and ultrasonic features are associated with this disease and color Doppler ultrasonography might provide vital information indicating the presence of lymphoma, the final diagnosis depends on the clinical and pathological test results of the patients.