Primary effusion lymphoma: Difference between revisions

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

CSV import
 
CSV import
 
(2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Primary effusion lymphoma''' (PEL) is a rare type of [[non-Hodgkin lymphoma]] that is often associated with [[human herpesvirus 8]] (HHV8) infection. It is also known as ''body cavity-based lymphoma'' and is characterized by the presence of lymphomatous effusions in body cavities without detectable tumor masses.
{{SI}}
 
{{Infobox medical condition
==Etiology==
| name            = Primary effusion lymphoma
PEL is strongly associated with HHV8 infection, also known as [[Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus]] (KSHV). The virus is found in all PEL cells and is thought to play a key role in the development of the disease. PEL is also frequently associated with co-infection with [[Epstein-Barr virus]] (EBV).
| image          = [[File:3_PEL_1_680x512px.tif]]
 
| caption        = Micrograph of primary effusion lymphoma, H&E stain
==Clinical Features==
| field          = [[Hematology]]/[[Oncology]]
PEL typically presents as a lymphomatous effusion in the [[pleural]], [[pericardial]], or [[peritoneal]] cavities. It is often associated with [[immunodeficiency]], particularly in individuals with [[HIV/AIDS]]. Symptoms can include fever, night sweats, weight loss, and dyspnea.
| symptoms        = [[Pleural effusion]], [[ascites]], [[pericardial effusion]]
 
| complications  = [[Immunodeficiency]], [[Kaposi's sarcoma]]
==Diagnosis==
| onset          = [[Adult]]
Diagnosis of PEL is based on cytological examination of the effusion fluid, which typically shows large, atypical lymphoid cells. Immunophenotyping can help to confirm the diagnosis, with PEL cells typically expressing [[CD45]], [[CD30]], and [[CD38]], but lacking [[B-cell]] markers.
| duration        = Chronic
 
| causes          = [[Human herpesvirus 8]] (HHV-8), often with [[HIV]] co-infection
==Treatment==
| risks          = [[HIV/AIDS]], [[immunosuppression]]
Treatment of PEL is challenging due to its aggressive nature and association with immunodeficiency. Antiviral therapy against HHV8 and EBV may be used, along with [[chemotherapy]] and [[immunotherapy]].
| diagnosis      = [[Cytology]], [[immunohistochemistry]], [[PCR]] for HHV-8
 
| differential    = [[Non-Hodgkin lymphoma]], [[Kaposi's sarcoma]]
==Prognosis==
| treatment      = [[Chemotherapy]], [[antiretroviral therapy]]
The prognosis of PEL is generally poor, with a median survival time of less than 6 months. However, survival can be improved with early diagnosis and treatment.
| prognosis      = Poor
 
| frequency      = Rare
==See Also==
}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Primary Effusion Lymphoma}}
== Primary Effusion Lymphoma ==
[[File:3_PEL_1_680x512px.tif|left|thumb|Micrograph of Primary Effusion Lymphoma]]
'''Primary Effusion Lymphoma''' (PEL) is a rare type of [[non-Hodgkin lymphoma]] that is characterized by the presence of malignant [[lymphocytes]] in the [[body cavities]] without the formation of a solid tumor mass. It is most commonly associated with [[human herpesvirus 8]] (HHV-8), also known as [[Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus]] (KSHV).
== Pathophysiology ==
PEL is primarily linked to infection with HHV-8, which is found in the tumor cells of nearly all cases. The virus is thought to play a crucial role in the transformation of normal lymphocytes into malignant cells. In addition to HHV-8, many patients with PEL are also co-infected with [[human immunodeficiency virus]] (HIV), which contributes to the immunocompromised state that allows for the development of this lymphoma.
== Clinical Presentation ==
Patients with PEL typically present with symptoms related to the accumulation of fluid in the body cavities, such as the [[pleural cavity]], [[peritoneal cavity]], or [[pericardial cavity]]. Common symptoms include [[dyspnea]], [[abdominal distension]], and [[chest pain]]. Unlike other lymphomas, PEL does not usually form a solid tumor mass, and the diagnosis is often made by analyzing the fluid from the affected cavity.
== Diagnosis ==
The diagnosis of PEL is made by cytological examination of the effusion fluid, which reveals large, atypical lymphoid cells. Immunophenotyping and molecular studies are used to confirm the presence of HHV-8 in the tumor cells. The cells typically express markers such as CD45 and CD30, but lack expression of B-cell markers like CD20.
== Treatment ==
The treatment of PEL is challenging due to the aggressive nature of the disease and the frequent presence of co-morbid conditions such as HIV infection. Chemotherapy regimens similar to those used for other aggressive lymphomas, such as CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), are commonly employed. Antiretroviral therapy is also crucial for patients with HIV to improve immune function and control viral replication.
== Prognosis ==
The prognosis for patients with PEL is generally poor, with a median survival of less than one year. Factors that influence prognosis include the patient's overall health, the presence of HIV infection, and the response to treatment.
== See also ==
* [[Non-Hodgkin lymphoma]]
* [[Non-Hodgkin lymphoma]]
* [[Human herpesvirus 8]]
* [[Human herpesvirus 8]]
* [[Epstein-Barr virus]]
* [[Kaposi's sarcoma]]
* [[HIV/AIDS]]
* [[Human immunodeficiency virus]]
 
[[Category:Lymphoma]]
[[Category:Lymphoma]]
[[Category:Non-Hodgkin lymphoma]]
[[Category:Viral oncology]]
[[Category:Rare diseases]]
[[Category:Virus-related diseases]]
 
{{stub}}
{{stub}}

Latest revision as of 22:13, 6 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics

Primary effusion lymphoma
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Pleural effusion, ascites, pericardial effusion
Complications Immunodeficiency, Kaposi's sarcoma
Onset Adult
Duration Chronic
Types N/A
Causes Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), often with HIV co-infection
Risks HIV/AIDS, immunosuppression
Diagnosis Cytology, immunohistochemistry, PCR for HHV-8
Differential diagnosis Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Kaposi's sarcoma
Prevention N/A
Treatment Chemotherapy, antiretroviral therapy
Medication N/A
Prognosis Poor
Frequency Rare
Deaths N/A


Primary Effusion Lymphoma[edit]

Micrograph of Primary Effusion Lymphoma

Primary Effusion Lymphoma (PEL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is characterized by the presence of malignant lymphocytes in the body cavities without the formation of a solid tumor mass. It is most commonly associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV).

Pathophysiology[edit]

PEL is primarily linked to infection with HHV-8, which is found in the tumor cells of nearly all cases. The virus is thought to play a crucial role in the transformation of normal lymphocytes into malignant cells. In addition to HHV-8, many patients with PEL are also co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which contributes to the immunocompromised state that allows for the development of this lymphoma.

Clinical Presentation[edit]

Patients with PEL typically present with symptoms related to the accumulation of fluid in the body cavities, such as the pleural cavity, peritoneal cavity, or pericardial cavity. Common symptoms include dyspnea, abdominal distension, and chest pain. Unlike other lymphomas, PEL does not usually form a solid tumor mass, and the diagnosis is often made by analyzing the fluid from the affected cavity.

Diagnosis[edit]

The diagnosis of PEL is made by cytological examination of the effusion fluid, which reveals large, atypical lymphoid cells. Immunophenotyping and molecular studies are used to confirm the presence of HHV-8 in the tumor cells. The cells typically express markers such as CD45 and CD30, but lack expression of B-cell markers like CD20.

Treatment[edit]

The treatment of PEL is challenging due to the aggressive nature of the disease and the frequent presence of co-morbid conditions such as HIV infection. Chemotherapy regimens similar to those used for other aggressive lymphomas, such as CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), are commonly employed. Antiretroviral therapy is also crucial for patients with HIV to improve immune function and control viral replication.

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis for patients with PEL is generally poor, with a median survival of less than one year. Factors that influence prognosis include the patient's overall health, the presence of HIV infection, and the response to treatment.

See also[edit]

This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
PubMed
Wikipedia