A case of plasmablastic lymphoma in the nasal cavity in a human immunodeficiency virus-negative patient / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Plasmablastic lymphoma is a recently identified entity that is considered to be a type of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with a unique immunophenotype and a predilection for the oral cavity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients. We report a case of plasmablastic lymphoma presenting in nasal cavity of a 48-year-old, HIV-negative man. Cytologic and histologic examinations demonstrated a large cell lymphoma with plasmablastic differentiation. The tumor cells were positive for CD138, epithelial membrane antigen, but lacked expression of leukocyte common antigen, T-cell, and B-cell markers. Abundant Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA transcripts were identified by in situ hybridization. The lambda-light-chain restriction was demonstrated by in situ hybridization. These findings were compatible with plasmablastic lymphoma. Subsequent whole body FDG-PET scan revealed hypermetabolic lesions in the nasal cavity and left cervical lymph nodes level II,III,IV. To our knowledge, this is the first case of plasmablastic lymphoma in Korea.