Hepatic and lung methotrexate-associated polymorphic lymphoproliferative disorders arising during postoperative follow-up of renal cell carcinoma: a case report

Methotrexate induces lymphoproliferative disorders on rare occasions; however, its pathogenesis remains unknown. A clinical diagnosis based on imaging studies alone is often difficult. A 57-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our department for the evaluation of multiple lung and hepatic nodules that developed during methotrexate treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Since she had a history of nephrectomy for localized renal cell carcinoma, multiple lung and hepatic metastases were initially considered. However, pathological diagnosis of the lung nodules (needle biopsy) revealed methotrexate-associated polymorphic-type lymphoproliferative disorders. After methotrexate discontinuation, continuous smooth shrinkage of the lung and liver lymphoproliferative disorders was observed. Methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorders should be considered in the event of newly appearing neoplastic lesions, even during follow-up for renal cell carcinoma, if methotrexate is being administered.