Chest wall fistula in a patient with pyothorax-associated lymphoma.

Fistula formation is an uncommon but serious therapeutic complication of pyothorax-associated lymphoma (PAL) because it decreases the quality of life in patients. Furthermore, a collapsed lung may predispose to pneumonia. In PAL, the lesions might invade the skin and optimal irradiation dose, region, and timing should be carefully determined.