title: Epstein-Barr virus-associated high-grade anaplastic plasmacytoma in a renal transplant patient.
abstract: Allograft transplant patients have an increased risk of developing polyclonal or monoclonal lymphoproliferative disorders, but high-grade anaplastic plasmacytomas are extremely rare in these patients. We present a renal transplant patient who developed multiple extramedullary high-grade anaplastic plasmacytomas in the oral cavity, the left maxillary antrum, the scalp, the thigh and the upper abdominal wall with no evidence of diffuse bone marrow infiltration. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) mRNA transcripts were detected within the myeloma cells by in situ hybridization using EBER1-2 probes. Following discontinuation of immunosuppression applied, the patient was treated with a cyclophosphamide-prednisone regimen followed by local irradiation, and a complete remission was achieved within four weeks. We concluded that EBV-associated high-grade anaplastic plasmacytomas constitute one more type of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, and that despite their characterization as highly malignant neoplasms, their clinical behavior is not always aggressive.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, University of Crete School of Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Papadaki
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stefanaki
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kanavaros
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Katonis
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Papastathi
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Valatas
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stylianoy
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Eliopoulos
mesh_terms: D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D012535:Scalp; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology