title: Primary Effusion Lymphoma: Is Dose-Adjusted-EPOCH Worthwhile Therapy?
abstract: Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare condition, which accounts for approximately 4% of all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated non-Hodgkin lymphomas. PEL has a predilection for body cavities and occurs in the pleural space, pericardium, and peritoneum. Without treatment, the median survival is approximately 2-3 months, and with chemotherapy, the median survival is approximately 6 months. We describe the case of a 47-year-old male with HIV and Kaposi's sarcoma who presented with complaints of abdominal pain and distension and was subsequently diagnosed with PEL. Despite limited clinical data being available, chemotherapy with dose-adjusted etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin (EPOCH) has proven to increase survival rates in patients with this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Kegan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jessamy
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Fidelis O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Ojevwe
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Doobay
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Rana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Naous
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Division, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Sheila M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lemke
keywords: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Dose-adjusted EPOCH; EPOCH; Human immunodeficiency virus; Kaposi's sarcoma; Primary effusion lymphoma