Pediatric plasmablastic lymphoma: a clinicopathologic study.
Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is reported rarely in children. To date, 10 cases are documented in the English-language literature. This study, based on 13 biopsies from 11 HIV-positive children (9 males, 2 females), documents the clinicopathologic features of PBL. The CD4 count ranged from 9 to 800 cells/mm(3). All biopsies demonstrated exclusive plasmablastic morphology; CD20 immunonegativity; and VS38c, EMA, CD31, MUM-1, CD45, and CD79a immunopositivity. B-cell monoclonality was confirmed in all biopsies. Of 3 biopsies subjected to FISH investigation, 2 had a t(8,14) translocation. Nine patients with follow-up details were treated exclusively with HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) or with combinations of HAART, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Seven patients died. PBL histomorphology, disease stage, and treatment modalities employed were not predictive of outcome. The survival of 2 stage 4 patients for 3 and 8 years each, managed on HAART, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, however, may justify a role for combined therapeutic modalities for PBL.
Department of Anatomical Pathology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, and National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa vaubell@ukzn.ac.za.
Jalaludin I
JI
Vaubell
Department of Anatomical Pathology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, and National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Yetish
Y
Sing
Department of Anatomical Pathology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, and National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Amsha
A
Ramburan
Oncology Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa.
Vikash
V
Sewram
Department of Paediatrics, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Rajendra
R
Thejpal
Department of Haematology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, and National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Nadine
N
Rapiti
Department of Anatomical Pathology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, and National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Pratistadevi K
PK
Ramdial
D000293:Adolescent; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male
AIDS; HIV; childhood; pediatric; plasmablastic lymphoma