KSHV-associated extracavitary primary effusion lymphoma in an HIV seronegative patient: a case report and review of the literature

Extracavitary Primary Effusion Lymphoma Affecting the Oral Cavity: A Rare Case Report

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an aggressive neoplasm often diagnosed in immunosuppressed patients demonstrating peritoneal, pleural, or pericardial effusions. This high-grade lymphoma is strongly associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) infection and most of the lesions also show the presence of Epstein-Barr virus in tumor cells, which lacks CD20 expression and reveals a plasmablastic morphology and phenotype. The extracavitary or solid variant of PEL is even rarer and usually affects the lymph nodes and is currently considered a clinical manifestation of the classic PEL. In the oral cavity, extracavitary PEL is extremely rare and only a few patients have been previously reported, with no detailed clinicopathological description. The recognition of oral extracavitary PEL is even more important given the occurrence of plasmablastic lymphoma in the oral mucosa, which shares many clinical, microscopic, and phenotypic features with PEL, therefore, demanding from pathologists the search for HHV8, especially in immunosuppressed patients, and an appropriate clinical evaluation. In this report, we aim to describe a very rare extracavitary PEL affecting the palate of a 36-year-old patient and to review the literature regarding the extracavitary presentation of this aggressive lymphoma. This report demonstrates the importance of searching for HHV8 infection in oral lymphomas with plasmablastic features.

Rare diagnosis of an Epstein-Barr virus-positive extracavitary/solid variant of primary effusion lymphoma by duodenal endoscopic biopsy in a human immunodeficiency virus-seronegative and immunocompetent patient: A case report

Primary effusion lymphoma and its tissue-based subtype extracavitary/solid variant was first described in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive patients. We report the case of a 50-year-old HIV-seronegative male patient who presented with icterus and cholestasis. Computed tomography revealed a 80 × 56 mm abdominal mass. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed from the celiac lymph nodes and pancreatic head, under endoscopic ultrasonography guidance. A duodenal endoscopic biopsy was taken from the infiltration area, and a core biopsy was performed for the portal hilar mass. All biopsies showed similar cytohistopathological features. LCA-positive lymphoid neoplasia had a plasmacytoid/anaplastic morphology and null cell phenotype. HHV-8 and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs (EBER) were diffuse positive. The patient, who did not have an effusion, was diagnosed with an extracavitary/solid variant of primary effusion lymphoma. Virus-associated lymphoproliferative disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients without a history of immunosuppression or HIV infection.

High-dose Therapy and Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation as Consolidation Treatment for Primary Effusion Lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The limited disease-free survival after chemotherapy has resulted in a poor prognosis. The outcomes data for high-dose therapy followed by autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) for PEL are limited owing to the rarity of the disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The present study included 9 patients with PEL from 2 major academic centers. Of these patients, 4 had received auto-HCT after high-dose therapy. Of the 9 patients, 8 (89%) had immunodeficiency (7 with human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity; 1, a solid organ transplant recipient) at the diagnosis. Human herpesvirus-8 by immunohistochemistry was positive in 8 patients. Anthracycline-based combination chemotherapy was used as first-line treatment in 7 patients; 4 underwent auto-HCT after attaining first complete remission.

RESULTS

The median follow-up of the surviving patients was 25 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8%-29%). The 2-year progression-free and overall survival for the 8 patients who had received treatment was 58% (95% CI, 22%-95%) and 73% (95% CI, 41%-100%), respectively. The 2-year progression-free and overall survival for the patients who had received auto-HCT was 50% (95% CI, 1%-99%) and 75% (95% CI, 33%-100%), respectively. Of the 4 auto-HCT recipients, all had been in first complete remission at the time of autografting. The cumulative incidence of relapse was 50% (95% CI, 19%-100%). No deaths were attributable to auto-HCT at 2 years after autografting.

CONCLUSION

Despite the small sample size, our data have shown that consolidative auto-HCT is safe and effective and should be considered for eligible patients with PEL after demonstration of an objective response to induction chemotherapy. However, the high relapse rate remains a concern and warrants the development of new strategies to mitigate post-transplantation relapse.

Indwelling pleural catheters: complications and management strategies

Indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) are increasingly being used for patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusions. They are simple to place and can be done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. IPCs uniformly relieve dyspnea and improve quality of life of patients with malignant pleural effusions. In some patients with recurrent non-malignant pleural effusions, IPCs proved to be effective as well. With increasing use of IPCs, physicians and patients are faced with complications related to the presence of an indwelling catheter for extended periods of time. The purpose of this review is to describe the various complications of IPCs and to present the available data on how to best treat and potentially prevent these complications.

Primary effusion lymphoma: current perspectives

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare and aggressive disease, affecting a unique population of patients who are often elderly or immunocompromised. PEL is associated with human herpesvirus type-8 infection and most commonly presents as malignant effusions of the body cavities. Patients diagnosed with PEL often have a compromised immune system from secondary conditions such as HIV. Chemotherapy has traditionally been the cornerstone of treatment for patients with a good performance status and no significant comorbidities. However, an optimal regimen does not exist. Most patients with PEL experience a relapse after frontline therapy within 6-8 months and subsequently require further treatment. In recent years, our understanding of the molecular drivers and environmental factors affecting the pathogenesis of PEL has expanded. This review will discuss the pathogenesis of PEL and various management approaches available in the frontline and relapsed setting as well as targeted agents that have shown promise in this disease.

A Case of Transudative Chylothorax: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Chylothorax is a type of pleural effusion characterized by the presence of chyle in the pleural space with triglyceride levels >110 mg/dL or evidence of chylomicrons in pleural fluid. Chylous effusion is typically exudative in nature with lymphocytic predominance. Transudative chylothorax is a rare finding which has been associated with only a limited range of clinical settings. We report a case of idiopathic transudative chylothorax for which the etiological cause could not be identified despite extensive workup and it resolved spontaneously after thoracentesis.