Relapsed mantle cell lymphoma manifesting with soft tissue tumors of the extremities: University of Miami experience and review of the literature

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages and is characterized by multiple extranodal sites of disease, most notably the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and gastrointestinal tract. Historically the prognosis of mantle cell lymphoma has been poor with median survival of four to five years. With new treatment regimens, however, patients have been able to achieve prolonged remissions and require special attention while being evaluated for relapse. This report describes four patients treated for stage IV mantle cell lymphoma at the University of Miami who developed soft tissue relapse presenting as non-tender large masses of the extremities, including one patient who presented without associated nodal involvement. Average time to soft tissue relapse was 99 months (range: 28–240) following initial diagnosis. Providers who care for patients with mantle cell lymphoma should be aware of soft tissue lesions as a presentation of mantle cell lymphoma that merits evaluation for disease relapse.