Open AccessMorphological spectrum of AIDS-related plasmablastic lymphomas
Author(s) -
Sumeet Gujral,
Tanuja Shet,
Shubhada Kane
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
indian journal of pathology and microbiology/indian journal of pathology and microbiology
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.217
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 0974-5130
pISSN - 0377-4929
DOI - 10.4103/0377-4929.40423
Subject(s) - plasmablastic lymphoma , lymphoma , pathology , cd20 , immunohistochemistry , medicine , immunoglobulin light chain , immunology , antibody
We have had a recent spurt in cases of AIDS-related lymphoma (ARL) at our centre. Most of these cases are aggressive mature B cell lymphomas, mainly plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Most of the PBL are extranodal in location and are mucosa-based. We reviewed the morphological features of 34 cases of PBL. Diagnosis was based on morphology, immunohistochemistry, proliferation index, HIV positive status and its preference to extranodal sites (mostly mucosa based). We classified PBL into three morphological subtypes (immunoblastic - 25, Burkitt's - 7, plasmacytic - 2). Tumor cells expressed as leucocyte common antigen (LCA) in 60%, CD138 in 100%, EMA in 45% and light chain restriction in 86% cases. CD20 was negative in all cases. Pathologists need to be aware of PBL and its various morphological subtypes as the identification of this entity from its close differentials carries major therapeutic implications.