Lymphoma presenting as an intramuscular mass

Background Resection of an intramuscular mass without tissue diagnosis can lead to unnecessary surgery Method During a 45-year period 19 previously healthy patients referred with an undiagnosed soft tissue tumour were found to have intramuscular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In seven patients this was the only focus of disease (Stage I-E). Patients were treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy alone or in combination. Results After mean follow-up of 43 months all of the patients with stage I-E lymphoma are alive and disease free. Conclusion Primary intramuscular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has a good prognosis. The importance of a tissue diagnosis by needle cor-biopsy is emphasized.