[Successful treatment of HHV8-negative effusion-based lymphoma with drainage of pleural effusion].

Two cases of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8)-negative effusion-based lymphoma (EBL) involving unilateral pleural effusion that regressed only after drainage are reported. Cases 1 and 2 were 91- and 81-year-old men with right and left pleural effusion, respectively. No chemotherapy was administered to either patient because of their advanced age and the presence of cardiac comorbidities. They completely recovered after effusion drainage alone without relapse till the last observation. Thus, this study suggests that some patients with HHV8-negative EBL can be safely managed with effusion drainage alone.