Open AccessCytologic Diagnosis of Primary Effusion Lymphoma in an HIV‐Negative Patient
Author(s) -
Su YueChiu,
Chai CheeYin,
Chuang ShihSung,
Liao YungLiang,
Kang WanYi
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the kaohsiung journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.439
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 2410-8650
pISSN - 1607-551X
DOI - 10.1016/s1607-551x(09)70015-4
Subject(s) - medicine , primary effusion lymphoma , pathology , organomegaly , lymphoma , effusion , pleural effusion , vincristine , gene rearrangement , chemotherapy , cyclophosphamide , biochemistry , chemistry , surgery , disease , gene
Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an unusual and rare type of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma characterized by lymphomatous effusion of pleural, pericardial or peritoneal cavities without lymphadenopathy or organomegaly. It is associated with human herpes virus‐8 (HHV‐8) and occurs most often in immunodeficient patients. We present a case of PEL in a 69‐year‐old male presenting with pleural effusion and ascites. Fluid aspiration showed a monomorphic population of atypical lymphoid cells, which were medium‐ to large‐sized, with mono‐ or binucleated hyper‐chromatic nuclei and a small to moderate amount of basophilic cytoplasm containing cytoplasmic vesicles. Immunohistochemically, the lymphoid cells expressed CD138 and multiple myeloma oncogene 1, were positive for HHV‐8, and were monoclonal for immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement. They were negative for Epstein‐Barr virus by in situ hybridization. Unfortunately, the patient died during the first course of chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone.