title: Cytologic diagnosis of primary effusion lymphoma in an HIV-negative patient.
abstract: Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is an unusual and rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma characterized by lymphomatous effusion of pleural, pericardial or peritoneal cavities without lymphadenopathy or organomegaly. It is associated with human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) and occurs most often in immunodeficient patients. We present a case of PEL in a 69-year-old male presenting with pleural effusion and ascites. Fluid aspiration showed a monomorphic population of atypical lymphoid cells, which were medium- to large-sized, with mono- or binucleated hyperchromatic nuclei and a small to moderate amount of basophilic cytoplasm containing cytoplasmic vesicles. Immunohistochemically, the lymphoid cells expressed CD138 and multiple myeloma oncogene 1, were positive for HHV-8, and were monoclonal for immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement. They were negative for Epstein-Barr virus by in situ hybridization. Unfortunately, the patient died during the first course of chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yue-Chiu
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Chee-Yin
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: Shih-Sung
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Yung-Liang
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Wan-Yi
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006801:Humans; D054685:Lymphoma, Primary Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male