Primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin lymphoma with myocardial infiltration

A case of primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is presented. On this occasion, the lymphoma invaded the myocardium, an event which has not previously been reported in the literature. These neoplasms spread by proximity, and invasion of the pericardium, thoracic wall and oesophagus have been described. Our patient died from heart failure. Tumour myocardial infiltration may well have been the determinant cause through various mechanisms, including a decrease in myocardial contractility. Spread into the myocardium may be facilitated by bulky tumour infiltrates in the pleural space.