Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma: a single-center experience in Korea.
BACKGROUND
Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) is a distinct subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which has no consensus for its ideal treatment or prognosis.


METHODS
We reviewed the clinicopathologic features and clinical outcomes of 25 PMBL cases diagnosed at a single institution between 1993 and 2009 and compared them with 588 cases of non-mediastinal, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL, control group) diagnosed during the same period.


RESULTS
Thirteen (52.0%) PMBL patients had Ann Arbor stage III or IV disease, and 10 (40.0%) had B symptoms. Thirteen (52%) PMBL patients were classified as high-intermediate/high-risk according to the International Prognostic Index. There was a significant prevalence of young (median: 31 years; range, 15-78 years; P<0.001), female (68%; P=0.014) patients in the PMBL group compared to the control group (median: 56 years; range, 15-85 years; 43.2% female). Bulky disease and elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were more frequent in the PMBL group (P<0.001 and P=0.003, respectively). Nineteen (76%) PBML patients achieved complete remission, and 18 were alive at the last follow-up (median: 43 months; range, 1-92 months). There was no difference in the 3-year, overall survival rate (72%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 54.0-83.0 versus 70.1%, 95% CI, 109.0-126.0; P=0.686) between PMBL and control patients, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared to patients with non-mediastinal DLBCL, Korean patients with PMBL are predominantly young women with bulky disease and high LDH levels but with no significant difference in survival.
Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Department of Internal Medicine, Gangneung Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Heui June
HJ
Ahn
Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Dok-Hyun
DH
Yoon
Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Shin
S
Kim
Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kyoungmin
K
Lee
Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Eunhee
E
Kang
Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jooryung
J
Huh
Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Chan-Sik
CS
Park
Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Cheolwon
C
Suh
B cell; Lymphoma; PMBL; Prognosis; Treatment