Extranodal Lymphomas as an Unusual Presentation in Usual Sites: A Potential Clinicoradiological Mimicker of Infection

Lymphomas encompass a group of malignancies involving the lymphoreticular system, while extranodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas affect any organ or tissue excluding lymph nodes and the spleen. Extranodal lymphomas (ENLs) have different characteristics and often have distinct pathogenic mechanisms and clinical behavior, which has a significant impact in their diagnosis and treatment. This unique case series highlights the difficulty in diagnosing ENL cases from different sites because they clinicoradiologically mimic inflammatory pathology. Although clinical diagnosis, imaging studies, and histopathological diagnosis help arrive at a final diagnosis, this diagnostic dilemma should be kept in mind and additional workup for biopsy should be considered. Here, we present five cases which had ENLs in the gastrointestinal tract, tonsils, thyroid gland, and testis for which histopathology needs ancillary studies like immunohistochemistry to confirm the tissue diagnosis. It is important to note that any delay in diagnosis will have an impact in the appropriate treatment of the patients in such instances.