title: Plasmablastic lymphoma of the cervical lymph nodes in a human immunodeficiency virus-negative patient: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: We report a case of plasmablastic lymphoma presenting in cervical lymph nodes in an 82-year-old, human immunodeficiency virus-negative man. Cytologic and histologic examinations demonstrated a large cell lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation. The tumor cells were positive for CD138, CD38, epithelial membrane antigen, CD30, and lysozyme, 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. A monoclonal rearrangement of kappa-light- chain gene was demonstrated. The cytologic, histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of plasmablastic lymphoma are reviewed. The potential diagnostic pitfalls and differential diagnoses, especially in a fine-needle aspiration specimen, are addressed.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pa 17822, USA. flin1@geisinger.edu
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Albert T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Quiery
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prichard
authors.forename: Conrad
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schuerch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015328:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Light Chain; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral