[Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma expressing surface immunoglobulin heavy chain (Ig alpha) and lacking light chains].

A 59-year-old woman with goiter complained of nausea, vomiting and weight loss in April 2000. She underwent an endoscopic examination and was admitted to our hospital because gastric biopsy specimens revealed that she had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. A thyroid biopsy also detected the diffuse infiltration of lymphoma cells, which were positive for CD19, CD20, CD38 and HLA-DR. Although the cells expressed surface immunoglobulin a chain, they lacked expressions of the kappa and lambda light chains. Chromosomal analysis of the thyroid cells showed 47, XX, t(2 ; 3)(q31 ; q13), + 3, t(8 ; 22)(q24 ; q11). After five courses of biweekly CHOP chemotherapy, she received autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in October 2000. Currently, she has maintained complete remission for more than 4 years.