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Introduction

Marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZL), a type of low-grade B-cell lymphoma, accounts for ~7% of all cases of mature patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the United States and 15% of cases in Asian/Pacific Island populations. Extranodal MZL (EMZL) accounts for 61% of patients with MZL, with the stomach being the most frequently involved site (1). In a study by Chuang et al (2), EMZL accounted for 9.34% of cases of B-cell NHL in Taiwan between 2000 and 2015. Primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL) is extremely rare, constituting only 0.016% of cases of NHL, with the MZL subtype comprising only 2–4% of cases of PHL (3). PHL presents diagnostic challenges as outlined in the ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for MZL (4); it commonly manifests as non-specific symptoms, such as abdominal pain. Liver biopsies are essential for diagnosis; however, the optimal therapeutic approach remains uncertain. Given its rarity, there is no consensus regarding its treatment. The present study describes a case of primary hepatic MZL in an older adult female patient with Sjögren's syndrome and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the lacrimal and salivary glands, leading to dry eyes and dry mouth (5). CVID is a primary immunodeficiency disorder marked by low levels of serum immunoglobulins and recurrent infections (6). Hepatic MZL, a rare subtype of PHL, is frequently misdiagnosed as a hepatocellular carcinoma. The present study describes a case of primary hepatic MZL in an older adult female patient complicated with Sjögren's syndrome and CVID.

Case report

A 61-year-old woman with a history of Sjögren's syndrome, managed with hydroxychloroquine for 38 years, was diagnosed with CVID, and had been receiving intravenous immunoglobulin therapy since February 2023. In December 2023, the patient presented to the Emergency Department of Penghu Branch, Tri-Service General Hospital (Taiwan), with shortness of breath that had progressed over several days. Abdominal ultrasonography incidentally revealed two hypoechoic masses in the left lobe of the liver (Fig. 1). Subsequent dynamic abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed two hypo-enhanced lesions located in liver segments 2/4a and 6 (Fig. 2), which were initially misdiagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma due to their non-specific radiological features. The patient's tumor markers, including α-fetoprotein and carbohydrate antigen 19-9, were within normal limits. Additionally, liver function tests, including those for alanine aminotransferase (76 U/l; normal range, 7–56 U/l), aspartate aminotransferase (56 U/l; normal range, 10–40 U/l) and alkaline phosphatase (277 U/l; normal range, 44–147 U/l), showed mildly elevated levels, while the bilirubin levels (0.5 mg/dl; normal range, 0.1–1.2 mg/dl) remained normal. A sonography-guided liver biopsy was performed, and hepatic MZL was histologically confirmed based on strong CD20 positivity, a low Ki-67 proliferation index (~5%) and the absence of CD3 in neoplastic cells. Focal positivity for CD10 was also observed (Fig. 3). Samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin at room temperature for 24, sectioned to 4-µm and then stained with hematoxylin (room temperature for 5 min) and eosin (room temperature for 2 min), before being observed by light microscopy. For immunohistochemistry, the sections were incubated with anti-CD20 (dilution 1:100; cat. no. ab9475; Abcam), anti-CD3 (dilution 1:100; cat. no. ab16669; Abcam), anti-CD10 (dilution 1:100; cat. no. NCL-L-CD10-270; Leica Biosystems) and anti-Ki-67 (dilution 1:200; cat. no. ab16667; Abcam) primary antibodies at room temperature for 1 h and then with biotinylated secondary antibody (horseradish peroxidase-conjugated; dilution 1:200; cat. no. ab6720; Abcam) at room temperature for 30 min. Light microscopy was used for observation.

Figure 1. Abdominal ultrasonography showing two hypoechoic masses in the left lobe of the liver, incidentally identified during routine imaging. (A) Transverse view showing the larger hypoechoic mass with well-defined margins. (B) Longitudinal view highlighting the second hypoechoic mass with a heterogeneous echotexture.

Figure 2. Dynamic abdominal computed tomography revealing two hypo-enhanced lesions in the liver. (A) Lesion located in segment 2/4a, demonstrating hypo-enhancement on arterial phase imaging. (B) Lesion in segment 6, showing similar hypo-enhancement characteristics.

Figure 3. Immunohistochemical staining and pathological examination of hepatic MZL. All images were captured at ×200 magnification. (A) CD3 staining (anti-CD3 antibody; dilution 1:100; cat. no. ab16669; Abcam) highlighting T cells, which are present in the background but absent from the neoplastic cells. (B) Strong positive CD20 staining (anti-CD20 antibody; dilution 1:100; cat. no. ab9475; Abcam) demonstrating the B-cell lineage of the lymphoma. (C) Ki-67 staining (anti-Ki-67 antibody; dilution 1:200; cat. no. ab16667; Abcam) showing a low proliferation index (~5%), consistent with the indolent nature of the lymphoma. (D) CD10 staining (anti-CD10 antibody; dilution 1:100; cat. no. NCL-L-CD10-270; Leica Biosystems) showing focal positivity, suggesting tumor heterogeneity, a rare feature in MZL, but not affecting the diagnosis. MZL, marginal zone B-cell lymphoma.

Bone marrow aspiration revealed no evidence of lymphoma. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) scans showed two ill-defined fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-avid mass lesions of 7.8 and 1.8 cm in diameter in segments 2/4a and 6 of the liver, respectively (Fig. 4), classified as stage IV disease according to the Lugano Staging System (7).

Figure 4. Pre-involved site radiotherapy images. Magnetic resonance imaging results showing two ill-defined mass lesions measuring 7.8 and 1.8 cm in liver segments (A) 2/4a and (C) 6, respectively. (B) Positron emission tomography scan showing two ill-defined fluorodeoxyglucose-avid lesions in the liver, consistent with stage IV disease.

Owing to immunodeficiency and the risk of pancytopenia, chemotherapy was not suggested by the hematologist. Considering the size and location of the hepatic lesions, as well as the patient's overall health and comorbidities, a multidisciplinary team decided to proceed with involved site radiotherapy (ISRT) as the primary modality. Given the bilateral lobe involvement, huge tumor burden and relatively small normal liver volume, a stepped response-adapted approach was planned. A radiation therapy plan of 24 Gy in 16 fractions for the larger tumor was first developed and administered in March 2024 (Fig. 5). Four-dimensional CT (4DCT) was employed during the treatment planning phase to account for respiratory motion. By capturing tumor movement across various respiratory phases, 4DCT enabled the creation of a motion-compensated treatment plan, ensuring precise targeting of hepatic lesions while minimizing the radiation dose to surrounding normal tissues. The larger tumor was irradiated first, with the smaller tumors primarily receiving a scatter dose (mean dose, 447.4 cGy). During the radiotherapy course, significant tumor shrinkage was observed, with the tumor diameter decreasing from 154.9 to 131.4 cm3 and the volume from 6.6 to 5.1 cm3. This prompted the first adaptation of the radiation plan, which involved re-defining the clinical target volume to reflect the reduced tumor size. The updated plan was applied for the last four fractions of radiotherapy, starting from the 13th fraction. The patient tolerated radiotherapy well, with only grade I gastrointestinal upset, graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 4.0 (8). The patient showed no signs of immunosuppression or the deterioration of pre-existing conditions. Throughout the radiation therapy period, laboratory assessments, including hematological, liver and kidney function tests, demonstrated results within normal limits. Follow-up MRI at 1 month after the first radiotherapy plan showed a marked reduction in both directly irradiated and non-irradiated lesions. For the initial ISRT plan (Fig. 5A), the tumor volumes were 154.9 and 6.6 cm3 for the larger and smaller tumors, respectively. The normal liver volume was 798 cm3. For the response-adapted plan (Fig. 5B), after significant tumor shrinkage, the tumor volumes reduced 38.98 and 2.78 cm3, respectively. The normal liver volume increased to 913.13 cm3. These changes were observed during follow-up imaging, which prompted the response-adapted plan prescribing boost doses of 6 and 8 Gy to the residual lesions in segments 2/4a and 6, respectively (Fig. 5). Consequently, a local radiation boost to the bilateral hepatic lesions was planned, delivering an additional 6 Gy to the segment 2/4a tumor and 8 Gy to the segment 6 tumor in four fractions. At 4 months post-treatment, follow-up MRI (Fig. 6) demonstrated no evidence of residual malignancy. At 7 months post-treatment, whole-body PET revealed no metabolic evidence of malignancy (Deauville criteria score 1) (9) (Fig. 6). No abnormal indicators were observed in the physical, hematological or hepatological examinations at the follow-up evaluations, which were performed every 3 months. This schedule will continue for at least 2 years and may transition to every 6 months based on the patient's condition and physician's assessment. The patient remained healthy and without signs of relapse following radiotherapy.

Figure 5. Radiation treatment plan for ISRT. (A) The initial ISRT plan shows the 24-Gy isodose line (green) encompassing the larger tumor. The smaller lesion is not covered in this plan, receiving only a scatter dose. The tumor volumes are 154.9 and 6.6 cm3, respectively. The normal liver volume is 798 cm3. (B) The response-adapted plan prescribes boost doses of 6 Gy (aqua) and 8 Gy (green) to the residual lesions in segments 2/4a and 6, respectively. The tumor volumes are 38.98 and 2.78 cm3, respectively. The normal liver volume is 913.13 cm3. ISRT, involved site radiotherapy.

Figure 6. Post- involved site radiotherapy images. (A) Magnetic resonance imaging at 4 months and (B) positron emission tomography scan at 7 months demonstrating no evidence of malignancy.

Discussion

The present case highlights the complexity of managing hepatic MZL in patients with multiple comorbidities, including autoimmune diseases and immunodeficiencies. Sjögren's syndrome and CVID are known to be associated with an increased risk of lymphoma (5,6). Low-grade MZL is the most common lymphoid neoplasm in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (5). The majority of Sjögren's syndrome-associated lymphomas are characterized by a localized stage, an indolent clinical course and recurrence at other extranodal sites. Sjögren's syndrome increases the risks of MZL and parotid gland extranodal MZL by 30-fold and a factor of 1,000, respectively (5). Specific pathogens are associated with extranodal MZLs involving certain anatomical sites: Helicobacter pylori (gastric), Chlamydia psittaci (ocular adnexal), Borrelia burgdorferi (cutaneous), Campylobacter jejuni (small intestine) and Mycobacterium species (bronchus) (10). Chronic antigenic stimulation by exoantigens or autoantigens is considered to play a key role in the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome-associated lymphoproliferation. In a retrospective, single-center study (6), among 647 patients with CVID aged >45 years, 45 patients (7%) developed lymphomas, predominantly B-cell type (96%), compared to a 2.1% risk in the general population. The present study highlights immunological and clinical phenotypes, treatments and outcomes, showing high lymphoma prevalence and diagnostic challenges in CVID due to immune dysregulation. Therefore, patients with immune diseases should be closely monitored for a high risk of lymphoma.

The present patient's clinical course underscores the necessity for a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of atypical liver mass presentations. Initially, the patient was misdiagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma based on the CT and MRI results. Betianu et al (11) reported that PHL often lacks distinct radiological features. Post-contrast imaging showed that >50% of the PHLs had no enhancement, while ~30% exhibited patchy enhancement and ~15% displayed ring enhancement. On MRI, PHL appears as hypointense or isointense on T1-weighted images, and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. Consequently, in cases where liver masses are detected without a corresponding increase in tumor markers, lymphoma should be considered a differential diagnosis, with liver biopsy being a viable diagnostic option. Bao et al (12) suggested that 18F-FDG PET is particularly useful for identifying the early stages of MZL, although pathological confirmation is essential for a definitive diagnosis. This imaging modality aids in staging, assessing the treatment response and monitoring relapse. The present patient presented with a slightly hypermetabolic mass, consistent with an indolent nature.

The treatment options for extranodal MZL include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery (13), with the choice depending on the disease stage, patient performance status and underlying conditions. Table I (13–19) summarizes the published cases, highlighting the various management approaches and outcomes for lesions in different liver segments. Most patients presented with solitary lesions, typically <2 cm in size and confined to a single liver segment. One case was of a 70-year-old man with two lesions in segment 2, measuring 3.3 and 3.6 cm, which were treated successfully with a left lateral segment hepatectomy, with no recurrence at 8 months (13). Another patient, a 60-year-old woman, had a 1-cm solitary lesion in segment 8 and underwent segmental hepatectomy with adjuvant chemotherapy, resulting in no recurrence over 4 years (14). Furthermore, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a significant modality, offering a quick and cost-effective treatment for unresectable liver tumors, particularly for cases with a single tumor ≤5 cm or up to three tumors, each ≤3 cm (20). However, its long-term efficacy in lymphoma remains unclear, and the surgical margins are inaccessible. A 63-year-old woman with a solitary 1.7-cm lesion in segment 6 underwent RFA with no recurrence after 1 year (15). In the present case, the larger tumor burden and bilateral involvement precluded liver surgery or RFA. By contrast, radiotherapy offers localized treatment that minimizes systemic exposure, an essential consideration for patients with CVID, where reducing the risk of treatment-related immunosuppression is crucial. The positive outcome, in the present case, suggests that radiotherapy is a viable option for managing hepatic MZL in a similar manner as extranodal MZL in other organs, particularly in patients with contraindications for systemic chemotherapy or surgery. Additionally, radiotherapy is more effective for controlling multifocal lesions, which are often challenging to ablate completely. In the case of extranodal disease, particularly indolent lymphoma, the whole organ comprises the clinical target volume, including the stomach, salivary glands and thyroid. Partial organ irradiation may be appropriate for other organs, including the orbit (involving the bony orbit and adjacent structures), breast, lung, bone, ocular region (involving the eyeball) and localized skin, as well as under certain circumstances when radiotherapy is used for consolidation after chemotherapy (21). In the present case, due to the localized nature of the hepatic tumors and the use of image-guided radiation therapy combined with 4DCT for motion management, partial irradiation was selected to minimize radiation exposure to normal tissues while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

Table I. Published cases of primary hepatic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma in the last 6 years.

Table I.

Published cases of primary hepatic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma in the last 6 years.

First author, year	Age, years	Sex	Comorbidities	Number of lesions	Tumor size, cm	Positions	Nodal involvement	Treatment	Outcome/follow-up time	(Refs.)
Choi et al, 2020	70	M	Intracerebral hemorrhage; myocardial infarction	2	3.3/3.6	Segment 2	No	Left lateral segment hepatectomy	No recurrence/8 months	(13)
Okura et al, 2023	60	F	Sigmoid colon cancer with liver metastasis; HBV	1	1	Segment 8	No	Hepatectomy of segment 8, adjuvant chemotherapy	No recurrence/4 years	(14)
Xu et al, 2021	63	F	None	1	1.7	Segment 6	No	RFA	No recurrence/1 year	(15)
Yamashita et al, 2021	66	F	Uterine cervical cancer; HBV	2	3.5/3	Segment 8, 5	No	Patient refused (only tenofovir for HBV control)	Not mentioned	(16)
Xie et al, 2019	73	M	HBV	1	1.8	Segment 2	No	Left lateral segment hepatectomy (segments 2 and 3)	No recurrence/6 months	(17)
Koh et al, 2023	Mid-40s	M	None	1	1.8	Segment 5	No	Inferior segments hepatectomy (segments 5 and 6)	No recurrence/2 years	(18)
Liu et al, 2024	77	F	Repeated paroxysmal palpitations	1	1.4	Segment 4a	No	Hepatectomy of segment 4	No recurrence/20 months	(19)
Present case	61	F	Sjogren's syndrome, CVID	2	7.8/1.8	Segment 2/4a, 6	No	Radiotherapy	No recurrence/7 months

[i] CVID, common variable immunodeficiency; HBV, hepatitis B virus; RFA, radiofrequency ablation.

In the present case, response-adapted radiation therapy was used to optimize the dose delivery. Typically, this approach includes assessing the tumor response to an initial radiation course or another treatment modality using imaging or diagnostic tools. Based on this assessment, the radiation plan is adjusted in terms of dose, target area or technique to maximize treatment efficacy while minimizing damage to the surrounding healthy tissues. A similar response-based approach was demonstrated in a phase II trial by Pinnix et al (22), which investigated radiotherapy for orbital indolent B-cell lymphoma, employing a response-adapted ultra-low-dose protocol initiated with a 4-Gy dose, followed by an additional 20 Gy for cases of persistent disease. The trial demonstrated a 2-year local control rate of 89.4%, with 90% of patients achieving a complete response and no grade 3 or higher adverse effects. In the present case, radiation therapy dosages and normal tissue constraints were guided by recommendations provided by the International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group (23). Considering the bilateral lobe involvement and limited normal liver volume (798 cm3; compared with the average normal adult liver volume of 1,000-1,400 cm3 in females), the larger tumor was irradiated first, with the smaller tumors primarily receiving a scatter dose (mean dose, 447.4 cGy). Using scatter doses for smaller tumors can be appropriate in certain scenarios, given the highly radiosensitive nature of lymphoma (as low as 4 Gy). Although no significant toxicities were observed during the 7-month follow-up, the potential for late toxicity, such as radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) or central biliary tract toxicity, persists, and this is more common in cases with large liver volume irradiation or central lesions. Toesca et al (24,25) highlighted strategies for predicting and mitigating RILD and central biliary tract toxicity, emphasizing the importance of personalized treatment planning and careful dose management to minimize risks. In the present study, subsequent MRI follow-up indicated a partial response, leading to the administration of additional radiation (6 Gy to the segment 2/4a tumor and 8 Gy to the segment 6 tumor, delivered in four fractions). This approach minimizes radiation exposure to the uninvolved normal liver while ensuring adequate treatment for both tumors. In a previous study, in patients with gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma treated with definitive radiotherapy, the median time to achieve complete remission was 3.9 months, with some cases requiring >12 months for confirmation through follow-up biopsies (26). This variability underscores the importance of careful, long-term monitoring to evaluate treatment outcomes and ensure sustained disease control.

In conclusion, the present case illustrates the successful use of response-adapted ISRT to treat hepatic MZL in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome and CVID. The role of radiotherapy in the management of hepatic MZL has not been well established owing to the rarity of this disease; thus, a multidisciplinary approach and careful consideration of the patient's unique clinical profile are crucial to achieving an individualized approach. Further research and case studies are needed to establish standardized treatment protocols for similar cases; however, this report provides valuable insights into the management of a complex lymphoma presentation in an immunocompromised patient.

Acknowledgements

Not applicable.

Funding

Funding: No funding was received.

Availability of data and materials

The data that support the findings of this case report are not publicly available due to privacy and ethical restrictions. However, they may be requested from the corresponding author and obtained with permission from the Institutional Review Board of Tri-Service General Hospital (Taipei, Taiwan).

Authors' contributions

SC contributed to the conception and design of the study, analysis of clinical data, and drafting of the manuscript. SC was responsible for interpreting the findings and preparing the initial manuscript. CL supervised the study, provided critical revisions for intellectual content and contributed to the interpretation of data. CL also approved the final version of the manuscript. YC and WH contributed to data collection and analysis. SC and CL confirm the authenticity of all the raw data. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Tri-Service General Hospital (approval no. A202415126). The patient provided written informed consent to participate prior to their inclusion in the study.

Patient consent for publication

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of their clinical data an accompanying images.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

References