Plasmablastic lymphoma in the anal canal

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Virology
• Immunology

Background:

• Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma often associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
• PBL typically presents in the oral cavity and is characterized by a plasmablastic immunophenotype, with poor B-cell marker expression and positive plasma cell markers.
• This lymphoma is known for its aggressive nature and resistance to conventional treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report an extremely rare case of Plasmablastic lymphoma occurring in the anal canal.
• To highlight the presentation of PBL in an unusual anatomical site in an immunocompromised patient.
• To discuss the potential role of viral co-infections in the pathogenesis of PBL.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 40-year-old female patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
• Clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and histopathological examination of the anal canal lesion.
• Immunohistochemical analysis and molecular testing for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8).

Main Results:

• A rare case of Plasmablastic lymphoma was diagnosed in the anal canal of an HIV-infected woman.
• The malignant cells demonstrated positivity for Epstein-Barr virus and human herpes virus 8.
• This finding expands the known anatomical sites for PBL presentation.

Conclusions:

• Plasmablastic lymphoma can occur in extranodal sites, including the anal canal, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
• The presence of Epstein-Barr virus and human herpes virus 8 in this anal canal PBL case warrants further investigation into their role.
• This case underscores the importance of considering PBL in the differential diagnosis of anal canal masses in HIV-positive patients.